Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his service-connected knee and low back disabilities, as well as an opinion regarding his fecal incontinence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current low back, left knee, or bilateral foot disorder and denied service connection for all three conditions.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, lumbar strain with thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability involving right ear hearing loss or left ear hearing loss. For lumbar strain, the Veteran has forward flexion of his thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees; however, he has spinal ankylosis and is prescribed bed rest by a physician for relief of his back problems.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities as well as their impact on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability and right ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's low back disorder has been rated at 60 percent since December 12, 2006. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, reflecting limitation of motion. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, was not incurred or aggravated in service and arthritis of the spine may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination findings and need for clarification of duty status during service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathy have been evaluated at the current 20 percent rating. The evidence does not show ankylosis or limitation of motion to a degree that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his low back disability, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for further VA examinations and development of the claims.

The Board denied initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on functional loss or impairment.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disorder (claimed as COPD and asthma), or a lumbar spine disability (residuals of a lumbar laminectomy).

The Board has remanded the case for further development on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder.