Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an informed medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine from December 26, 2006 to August 16, 2010. The maximum allowable rating under the old Diagnostic Code 5291 has been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's low back disorder preexisted her service. The examiner concluded that any increase in severity was due to natural progression of the disease, not service.

The Veteran's skin condition, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were all found to not warrant higher initial ratings under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to July 27, 2012 and at 20 percent as of that date. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records and personnel records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, and initial evaluations greater than 10 percent for right wrist and ankle surgical scars. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left knee conditions, bilateral metatarsalgia, and mechanical low back strain with degenerative lumbar spondylosis have been granted. His hepatitis has also been rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's current back conditions are not related to service, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service symptoms and his current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a low back disability, both as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's hypertension is also considered secondary to his diabetes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service, as evidenced by his in-service injuries and subsequent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, cardiovascular disorder, rectal bleeding, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, and hypercholesterolemia. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for low back pain/ruptured disc syndrome, but denied it due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was not granted for hearing loss as there is no evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic nerve condition secondary to the degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining STRs, VA treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain service treatment records, including those from Fort Leonard Wood and other locations mentioned by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders is granted.