Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected, but his bilateral pes planus warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated by her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's low back disability and neurological symptoms in the lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative lumbar spine disability, manifested by degenerative changes and right foot drop, is due to disease or injury that was aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee injury, low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and sinusitis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are directly related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability resulted in reduced range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The initial rating of 10 percent was granted effective July 16, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the lumbar spine, bursitis of the left shoulder, mucous retention cyst of the right maxillary sinus, and pressure on the brain with headaches and dizzy spells, all associated with participation in Project SHAD. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from MacDill Air Force Base and requesting an addendum opinion from the September 2012 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability or arthritis that is related to service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of increased evaluations for PTSD, right knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and right hip disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the previous denials. The Board finds that these conditions are related to an in-service injury during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for transfer of the claims file to an appropriate RO in California and scheduling a Video Conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to unclear nature of his lumbar spine disability, incomplete Reserve service records, and need for further examination regarding left arm and knee conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his lumbar spine arthritis, as well as reopening of previously denied claims. The appeal is also remanded to obtain SSA records and conduct additional examinations.