Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The VA determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's right leg disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The back and bilateral hip disabilities were not shown to be related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a back disability, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and will be scheduled for a hearing before the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left elbow, left knee, and low back conditions. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical evidence from SSA and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of PTSD, back disability, and neck disability were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was set at April 10, 2006. The claim to reopen for a back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for defective vision in the right eye was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his chronic lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was granted. The claims for service connection for aggravated asthma, a right ankle disability associated with a scar, and a low back disability were denied due to lack of evidence. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and aggravated asthma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to an injury incurred in the line of duty during a period of inactive duty for training, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a supplemental VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, and he has a separate rating for moderate radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no medical evidence linking them to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder, as well as his claims for hypertension and a respiratory disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability and service connection for a right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM II). The appeals were decided on a direct basis as there was no indication of any presumptive conditions or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back condition, including whether it was aggravated by service or due to natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.