Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability and associated radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service treatment records, verify dates of active duty and inactive duty training (IDT), and schedule a VA examination for his claimed cervical spine and right hand disabilities. The issue of PTSD will also be addressed in the statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral metatarsalgia, status-post osteotomies.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including abdominal hernia, right leg lumbar plexopathy, erectile dysfunction, and head trauma with residuals of double vision and vertigo, are not considered to be a result of carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA. The complications were known potential outcomes of the AAA surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral knees and an increased rating for DDD of lumbar spine. The claim for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy in lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus pre-existed service but was aggravated therein. The low back disorder is less likely than not related to his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee conditions are service-connected, with no new evidence provided to reopen these claims. The initial ratings for both conditions remain at 10%.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his hypertension claim was not adjudicated as it is not related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, provide VCAA notice regarding service connection for a low back disorder on a secondary basis, and schedule the Veteran for a VA spine examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service. However, it granted service connection for migraine headaches, attributing them to an in-service head injury.,Service connection was established for post-concussive headaches as a result of a head injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including re-adjudication of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and readjudication of TDIU rating. The issues are not ready for appellate review due to a procedural error in the prior supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and arthritis are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has directed the VA to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations and remand his claims due to lack of proper notification of scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability related to service, specifically a lumbar spine disorder. The examiner found scoliosis to be congenital and did not find evidence of aggravation during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and right shoulder disabilities are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are more likely due to post-service injuries.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.