Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that further development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a thoracic spine fracture, and neck cervical spondylosis with degenerative disc disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional evidence, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disorders are not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a bilateral foot disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claim for back disability.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease was caused by service and the Board has granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is causally related to an in-service ACDUTRA injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability, including arthritis of the hips, is caused by or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease due to service-connected bilateral femoral neck stress fractures. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for initial consideration of additional argument and evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative, including medical records and photos. The claim will be re-adjudicated following this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 4, 2007, and in excess of 40 percent since April 4, 2007, for his low back disability, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 14, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU rating was denied. The Board found that he is not entitled to extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes were not met.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left bunion surgery residuals, a broken left ankle, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, female/gynecological condition (to include residuals of a tubal ligation; and a hysterectomy and/or residuals thereof), seizure disorder, and hypertension.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a low back disorder being incurred or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and status post cervical fusion residuals were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current manifestations.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar spondylosis is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's occipital neuralgia manifested by headaches, as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and provide a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities that are secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee conditions. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records, schedule the Veteran for VA examinations, and determine the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection of his back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his left knee disorder and his right and lumbar spine disorders.