Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for varicosities of the left lower extremity, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, bilateral pes planus, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from August 3, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder did not originate during service and is not related to his in-service back complaints or to his service-connected left knee chondromalacia. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his in-service injuries and granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were not related to his military service, including lifting heavy items in supply work. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's right knee DJD, status-post surgery with instability and residual scars is rated at 30 percent from April 10, 2010. His left knee DJD, status-post osteotomy with scars is rated at 10 percent from May 1, 2006 to April 9, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and lumbar spinal stenosis with radiculopathy were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar disorder is proximately due to his service-connected total right knee replacement and aggravates it, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left biceps and cervical spine disorders. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened. The evidence now supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for myofascial thoracolumbar syndrome, finding that it is attributable to service and considering the Veteran as a Gulf War veteran with an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's current back disability is found to be the result of an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right ankle disability, service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of her thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, multilevel with rib injury remains in appellate status. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar sprain/strain with herniated discs were denied initial compensable or higher ratings, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 12, 2008.