Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities are found to be likely preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his multiple conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for DJD of the lumbosacral spine with lower leg numbness and inflammatory colitis, IBS, and GERD were denied as her conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, claimed as a low back disability, was incurred during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not preexist his military service, was not incurred in service, and is not otherwise related to his periods of active military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from the February 2014 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's low back strain disability was found to not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to March 6, 2014 and from March 6, 2014 onwards. The current disability level does not warrant a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and asthma are not related to active service, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have arisen in service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration documents. The Veteran's psychiatric and spine conditions are also required to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service hospitalization records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability and postoperative metastatic breast cancer. The claim of service connection for a low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for other conditions.

The Veteran's low back strain and bilateral foot disorder have been granted service connection, with a 30% initial rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an examination addressing his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying his occupational and educational history. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess the frequency and duration of incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar strain and compression fracture, prostate hypertrophy, urinary incontinence (secondary to prostate condition), bilateral knee condition, angina pectoris, hypertension, and seizures were all denied as not supported by evidence of a nexus to service.