Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding service treatment records from his activated service in the Alabama Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.

The Veteran's current back disability did not manifest in service or within a year of service, was not aggravated by service, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for his back disability has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his morphine addiction and pain management, caused or contributed to his death by overdose. Therefore, the cause of death is deemed service connected.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and his active service, thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease with left C7 radiculopathy is related to his in-service neck injury, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and an increased rating for her low back disability. The Veteran was also denied TDIU, as her service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current severity, with some issues receiving higher ratings than others. The overall disposition is denied for all claims.

The Board is remanding the case for another VA examination to determine if a cervical spine disability, including as due to service-connected lumbar spine disability, was incurred during active service or caused by it. The Veteran's in-service neck injury will be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the Hughston Clinic and Tuskegee VAMC records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 23, 2005.

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

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current severity.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability and left leg disability manifested by numbness are not related to active military service. The preponderance of evidence shows that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate medical examination and the need for further review of newly submitted evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back and left shoulder disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have current disabilities attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 17, 2012 and increased to 60 percent from that date. Separate ratings of 20 percent were granted for moderate incomplete paralysis of the left and right femoral nerves.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board videoconference hearing at either the VA Medical Center in Pensacola or the Montgomery, Alabama, RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.