Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed disability related to her low back and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for left hip disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by limited range of motion and occasional incapacitating episodes, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including benign prostatic hypertrophy, depressive disorder, a lumbar spine disability, polyarthralgias, left and right shoulder disabilities, stomach disability, and skin cancer. The remaining issues on appeal will require additional development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient development and need for an additional medical opinion. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a low back disability and a right foot fracture, but his prior employment as a police officer suggests he may be able to engage in sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The decision also addressed a chronic right leg disorder but did not specify its basis.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to February 22, 2007.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not experience an additional disability caused by VA care, resulting in left foot drop after undergoing left knee replacement surgery. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service. The most competent evidence preponderates against a finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, notification regarding secondary theories of entitlement, and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral hip disorders are less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability during service and concluded that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate medical opinion and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability, finding that his current condition was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate neurological manifestations of service-connected low back strain, and thus denies his claim for a separate rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including lumbar stenosis, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with spinal stenosis is found to have its onset during combat service in Korea and is therefore granted as service connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including the ratings for elevated right hemidiaphragm, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine disability, and neurological deficit of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity.