Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability due to additional reasons and bases, including a need for a VA spine examination and review of ongoing medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis with residuals of a meniscal tear. The claims for left knee and low back disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims regarding his bilateral knee disability and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back and neck injury, headaches, stomach condition, and left shoulder disability are all service-connected. The effective date is July 18, 2000.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2006.

The Board found that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's thoracolumbar arthritis and DDD are attributable to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is aggravated by his service-connected status post left Achilles tendon rupture with recurrent infection and chronic inflammation, and grants this claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and does not qualify for presumptive service connection due to an undiagnosed illness. The VA examiner opined that any current lumbar spine strain or sprain is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy has not been productive of more than mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service or any service-connected disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease should be April 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain pain is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between her current condition and active duty service.,There is no evidence of record indicating a current disability involving either cervical or thoracic spines.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a sinus disorder and chest pain. The remaining claims are being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, degenerative disc disease, was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and right shoulder disabilities. This includes verifying duty status during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA periods, obtaining VA examinations, and updating treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after a final decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his preexisting condition had been aggravated by military service.