Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a staged rating of 40 percent from November 16, 2011 to July 11, 2013. Ratings for the low back disability in excess of 10 percent prior to and after this period are not warranted. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent throughout. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent throughout. The Veteran's left testicle atrophy does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back injury or disease during service, and the current lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is not related to service. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is also not proximately due to, or worsened in severity by, the service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been denied. The evaluation for the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent, while the evaluation for the cervical spine prior to February 29, 2012 is still at 10 percent.,For the period before February 29, 2012, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent disabling. However, starting from that date, it has been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee and back disability, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel file and records of any mental health treatment or discipline in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for his back disorder and TDIU are also being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition and left wrist disability are service connected, but denied his claims for hearing loss in the right ear and lump on head.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, residuals of left ankle sprain and chip fracture, and cervical strain and muscle spasm as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, did not manifest during his period of service and is not etiologically related to his in-service low back pain. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder with alcohol dependence, existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is likely to have had its onset during his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) and for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address his TDIU claim. The effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remains October 18, 2006.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case for further review, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot spurs, left Achilles tendonitis, and bilateral great toe fracture residuals have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint pain, tingling in fingertips, child birth defects, miscarriages, allergies/sinus disability, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, loss of voice, fibroid disability, neutropenia, iron deficiency anemia, and low blood count. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.