Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but denied them on the merits due to lack of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and develop his claims for service connection of various musculoskeletal disorders, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities. Additionally, a VA opinion is needed to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and headaches were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service-connected disabilities or medication.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disorder and mid and low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of either his low back or right leg, and thus service connection cannot be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the July 2012 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder, skin disorder, and hypertension are not related to service or any incident of service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied the claims for upper and lower back disabilities as well as the rash on hands and feet.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle condition and a back condition, finding that the probative weight of the evidence does not demonstrate a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to August 8, 2005 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent effective October 28, 2011.,The Veteran's GERD was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating. Residuals, fracture, left distal fibula and medial malleolus were granted a 30 percent disability rating from October 28, 2011. The right ankle disability claim is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ankle disability was not established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 16, 2000. The Board denied an increased rating for the orthopedic manifestations and neurological manifestations in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine and right hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spine are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and there is no presumption of service connection for arthritis.

The Veteran's residuals of compression fracture at T-12 have been rated as 20 percent disabling, reflecting moderate limitation of motion. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating based on additional factors such as ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.