Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain was remanded by the Board, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Jackson RO for scheduling a Travel Board or videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and low back disability, as well as increased ratings for various surgeries and fractures, are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet and low back disorder are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 20 percent rating for a lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and requesting updated VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for radiculopathy, left lower extremity; surgical scar, lumbar spine; and lumbosacral spine disability are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of either spine at or below the required levels.

The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and a sciatic nerve condition, left side, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including current examinations and a determination of whether the Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities render him permanently and totally disabled.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has low back and knee disabilities and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to permanent and total service-connected disabilities that result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as it is rendered moot by the grant of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's DDD, L5-S1, was granted a 20 percent rating effective April 20, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point.

The Board has determined that there is no current hip disability, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip arthritis cannot be granted. The claims for low back and right hand/wrist disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and hiatal hernia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, cervical spine strain, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral foot strain are not related to his service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could have led to these current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lower back is not related to her service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, which he claims is related to his active service or his bilateral knee disability. The Board has ordered additional development due to inadequate opinions in the July 2012 VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to have manifested within one year of his discharge from active military service, warranting service connection. The initial rating for the back disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee, hand, and back disabilities are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.