Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, manifested by lumbar stenosis with sciatica, is not due to disease or injury incurred in service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner concluded that the current spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back, knee, and hip disabilities are not related to his in-service right ankle injury. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his stressors were consistent with his service, thus meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and back disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, bilateral shoulder, skin, and vision/eye disorders. However, it remains to be determined whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the AOJ for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of his low back disability, including whether it is related to service or a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the potential existence of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for verification of the Veteran's duty status during specific periods of service, and the claim will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.

The Veteran is entitled to an annual clothing allowance for 2010 due to the use of a back brace for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, which tends to wear out or tear his clothing.

The Veteran is shown to require the regular assistance of another person due to physical incapacity when caring for the daily personal needs of dressing or undressing himself, toileting, bathing, and keeping himself clean and presentable as a result of his service-connected right knee, ankle, and foot disabilities, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to his active service. The claim for an increased rating for acne of the back, neck, and face and service connection for low back disability to include neurological and muscular residuals are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities, as well as a disability manifested by right leg atrophy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right foot injury.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for her chronic lumbar strain and minimal degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a current rating of 40 percent effective from September 15, 2011.