Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since March 9, 2009. The appeal is remanded as there are issues regarding the right posterior tibial nerve and residual sensory deficit in the S1 nerve root, and a bilateral leg condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The primary issues involve skin cancer, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, low back degenerative joint disease, and a neck disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not service-connected. The claims for back disability and PTSD are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and credible evidence linking them to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis of the right hip and lumbosacral strain are at least as likely as not related to his service, including a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 2002. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to have been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 45 degrees prior to January 11, 2011. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disk disease, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, are on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his low back, knee, and frostbite conditions. The issues of nerves/depression, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and residuals of frostbite of the toes will be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and denied this claim. However, the chest keloids were related to service and granted service connection for them.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, and thoracic degenerative disc disease. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, including private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 10, 2011 and from October 10, 2011. His right lower extremity radiculopathy was also rated at 20 percent since September 24, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, left ankle disability, and chronic sinusitis based on the evidence showing these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder have all been denied. The only condition found to be service connected is the pre-existing left femur fracture with residual leg shortening.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain/strain is currently rated at 20% from November 7, 2012 onwards. His degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not considered service-connected.,Service connection for a right wrist disability was granted in September 2011.