Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and low back disorders are not linked to his service or service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of her right foot, right knee, and back disorders.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective March 28, 2013. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's discogenic disease of the lumbar spine resulted in symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, and limited range of motion. The RO found that a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted prior to February 16, 2006; a rating of 40 percent from February 16, 2006 to March 9, 2006; and no higher than 40 percent after March 9, 2006. Effective July 6, 2012, the Veteran was granted a separate rating for left leg neurologic complications.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh, Muscle Group XIII and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, while his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated appropriately prior to March 19, 2003.

The case is being remanded due to a hearing issue. The Veteran's issues regarding service connection for low back disorder and increased rating for right knee disorder are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis developing within one year of separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current degenerative changes in the Veteran's lumbar spine are more likely age-related than service-connected.

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but not for a home adaptation grant as he is already eligible for the former.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support her claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran's current address needs to be verified, and he may need to undergo a VA spine examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and is requesting further investigation into scheduling an alternative hearing.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder is granted, and he is entitled to an increased rating for his right shoulder entrapment syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran has hypertension and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding hearing requests and the Veteran's request for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation records. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, warranting a 50% evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and examination of the Veteran's low back disability claim, including consideration of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying audiometric findings from his military service.