Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining complete paper copies of any Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination and associated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for high blood sugar has been withdrawn. The Board is remanding the issue of whether a timely substantive appeal was submitted to increase his disability rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder or lumbar degenerative disc disease that was incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not originate in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity disability, but not for a psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder).

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The lumbar spine disability and radiculitis/radiculopathy are not currently service connected, but may be secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability other than spina bifida occulta and levorotatory scoliosis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of degenerative joint and disc disease and lumbar strain, which are related to his in-service back injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the diagnosed lumbar degenerative joint disease is etiologically related to the Veteran's period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected leg disabilities and his lumbar spine disorder, including any potential aggravation of his lumbar spine condition by his leg disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left hip disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2005 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for residuals of a nasal septorhinoplasty and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work during the period from September 18, 2006 to March 23, 2010.

The Board granted an increased (30%) rating for the service-connected back disability, effective from October 15, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, renal problems, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease has been granted. The decision also includes the reopening of his previously denied claim for service connection for a leg and back disability.

The Veteran seeks a higher initial rating for his service-connected back disability and also claims entitlement to TDIU. The case is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of VCAA notice.

The Board finds that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, but also notes that he has a non-service-connected disability (depression) which may be contributing to his need for assistance. The decision is mixed as it grants special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance but does not grant housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of her TMJ syndrome, major depression, lumbar disc disease, and arachnoiditis.