Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with spinal stenosis was granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective December 13, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for neck and right shoulder injuries, as well as the Veteran's claim of increased rating for his left knee disability. The decision also dismissed his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back condition to his active service, including two instances of treatment for back pain during service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, sinus, left hip, right hip, and left wrist disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher, due to the presence of muscle spasms and limited forward flexion during flare-ups.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at a hearing. The case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied her claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral hip disorder.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes. The Board has also remanded to consider whether there was CUE in a March 1976 rating decision that denied service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back, finding that it is likely due to an injury sustained during active service. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right great toe fracture with arthritis is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective June 1, 2008.,The Veteran's right great toe disorder causes him pain and limits his movement.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease prior to July 3, 2010 was denied. For the period beginning July 3, 2010, a rating of 10 percent was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate records and need for further development of facts pertinent to the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations to determine if he has a current low back disability related to service and/or frostbite residuals of the feet. The claims will be reconsidered in light of this new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability. The Veteran's previous claims were denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting his current claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether there is a link between service and current lumbar DDD.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain clarification of a March 2010 VA examination report and to ensure that any additional relevant records are obtained. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine arthritis will be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if a back disorder is related to service, particularly as secondary to a service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded this case for further development and consideration, including scheduling the Veteran for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 40%, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU even when considering their common etiology.