Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for low back pain, bilateral knee disability, and thyroid disease. The claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected left foot disability. The case has been remanded due to a need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability, right knee disability, or persistent cough for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claims of service connection for a left hip disability, including as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and an increased initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are denied. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is in line with his current symptoms and examination findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability does not warrant a higher rating, and his claim for separate evaluation of left lower extremity neuropathy was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims for a disorder of the lumbar spine and right knee. This includes scheduling VA examinations, obtaining additional medical records, and considering all evidence added to the record since the last Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints of back pain, but no current diagnosis or chronic condition was found. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of a present disability attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as schizophrenia, is not attributable to service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not attributable to service.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and low back disorder due to further development being required, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical examination and social worker's assessment to determine if the appellant's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, status post L5-S1 discectomy was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks, or neurological impairment relating to bowel, bladder, or left lower extremity.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for back disorder, neck strain, or residuals of a bullet fragment in the nose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss prior to March 30, 2005. The Board found that there was no evidence of arthritis or degenerative disc disease within one year of separation from active duty, and thus did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right leg and hip disorders are found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral hip disabilities are not service-connected as they do not have a direct relationship to his military service. The Board finds that the current conditions are not related to any service-connected condition.