Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and whether it was caused or aggravated by his military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound of the left leg with residual scars is rated at 10 percent, effective from November 2007. The Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss and has not been diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected left knee disability beginning on September 17, 2011. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and left hip disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and clarifying SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether his lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities were aggravated by his reserve service. If it is determined that these conditions were aggravated by his reserve service, he will also be scheduled for an examination to determine if a stomach disability is secondary to his lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent, but not higher.,There is no additional disability from an over-prescription of Xanax caused by VA medical care.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, with the exception of DDD of the lumbar spine which resolved in-service.

The Veteran's service-connected right L5 radiculopathy and L4-L5 herniated disc with lumbosacral paravertebral myositis have been manifested by significant loss of motion but no ankylosis, either favorable or unfavorable. There is no evidence of incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, headaches, and neuropathy as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's STRs do not show any diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an inadequate factual basis in a previous examination and because the RO failed to obtain his report of medical history at separation. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's death was caused by his willful misconduct of abusing prescription medication, which is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims due to incomplete information in the prior VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of an extraschedular evaluation. The Veteran's claim is pending with the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination, as well as clarification of his work absences.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or sciatica disability that is related to his active service. The VA examiner found no evidence of chronic low back disability in service and noted that the Veteran's current back problems are more likely due to a 2004 train accident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 5, 2011 did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1, is etiologically related to active service and granted his claim for service connection.