Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion and symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The issue is now remanded for further development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and providing an examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition with a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims for low back pain, neck injury with residual headaches, and head trauma with residual headaches are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his claimed right knee and back disorders and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed bilateral knee, bilateral foot, or low back conditions. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed disabilities related to these conditions during his military service. Post-service examination and medical records also fail to establish such diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his records and possible VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the legal criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as his combined percentage of disability does not reach 70% or more, and he is still employed.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, thus denying the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, determined to be a direct service connection without any presumption or other special theory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and respiratory disability are not related to service, thus denying both claims.

The Board found that a current low back disorder with mild right-sided radiculopathy did not have its onset during active service or become manifest within the first post-service year, and is not proximately due to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities and a right knee disability, have been denied. The Veteran does not have diagnosed disabilities that warrant an increased evaluation for recurrent tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back and right leg conditions did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right leg, back, and left foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The claim for right knee disability is also denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, including residuals of cervical spine trauma and strain, is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.