Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and workers' compensation information.

The Veteran's cause of death, aortic stenosis, was not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion, requiring further development before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disc herniation of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective January 9, 2014. The rating reflects his current level of disability based on limitation of motion and associated neurological impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus deformities are also rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee and shoulder conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability may have existed prior to his active service and was not clearly and unmistakably aggravated by service. The claims for increased ratings for right and left foot disabilities are being dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them in writing.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for appellate disposition and requires additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted.,Service connection for a left knee disability has been established.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The claims of right arm and right hand conditions have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The claim for a sleep disorder was not substantiated, and the claim for a low back disability has been reopened but is still denied. The claim for a left leg condition remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to in-service parachute jumping injuries, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to March 14, 2012. From that date forward, the disability warranted a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that she was not entitled to an increased rating prior to October 24, 2011 and did not meet criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns about the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders and in-service physical abuse.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective since September 1, 2011. The rating remains unchanged as his disability does not meet criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have not been shown to warrant a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His cervical spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20% each.