Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee is currently rated at 30 percent, and his instability of the left knee is rated at 10 percent. The appeal is mixed as one issue was granted (instability) while another was denied (retropatellar pain syndrome).

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and awarded an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus effective from August 2, 2010.

The Board found no evidence of current hernia or back disability during the appeal period and denied service connection for these conditions. The wrist disability claim is pending.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve/low back disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right elbow, and left knee disabilities are related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for low back disability, right elbow disability, and left knee disability.

The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's low back disorder is less likely than not related to his active duty service, finding widespread degenerative changes in the spine more consistent with age rather than a single injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, which may be related to an injury during service or a pilonidal cyst procedure.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected left ankle/leg, bilateral wrist, or low back disability and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable ratings for residuals of the fractured distal third of the left tibia and fibula, and low back strain from specific dates. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and hemorrhoids do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder and finds that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran now has chronic low back pathology, which was not shown at the time of the prior denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current right hip, left hip, or low back disability may be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and back disability did not have onset during service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, foot disability, hearing loss, and eye disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain recent VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a final decision can be rendered with respect to the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left leg/knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records, ensure VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA treatment records and an examination report, the Board finds that there is no medical nexus linking any current back disorder to service or any incident therein.