Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was not considered as it was abandoned due to non-response within one year of the RO's request for additional information in 1967. The effective date is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and lower extremity neuropathy are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder that is attributable to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, left knee torn medial meniscus, and a left leg disorder due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and any neurological residuals. The case will also be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, to consider whether an extra-schedular rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The appeals are remanded to further develop and consider these claims.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between the appellant's back disorder and his military service, including ACDUTRA. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any low back and left shoulder disorders, including prior diagnoses. The Veteran's Social Security Administration records are also requested as they may provide relevant information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the effective date being November 22, 2010. The conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including degenerative scoliosis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claim for a higher rating for chondromalacia of the right patella is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private records and scheduling a VA spine examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion, as there is no medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his period of active duty in August 2006. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his low back disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar disc herniation at L5-S1, status-post hemilaminectomy, microdiskectomy, and foraminotomy with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and re-examining him.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including a torn meniscus and degenerative disc disease, are not related to his service. The claim for a compensable evaluation for a scar of the medial right knee was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete information and records.