Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability as signs and/or symptoms of an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a 10% evaluation for this condition prior to December 31, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting low back disability permanently worsened during service, warranting service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a psychosis, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain private medical records and VA treatment records, as well as to review the claims file for any errors in adjudication. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is proximately due to, or caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability may be related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including neck disorder, TMJ, and dysthymia, likely render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise, granting TDIU.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be related to his active duty service, while the lipoma in his chest was not shown during service and is unrelated to service or toxic herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, ulcerative colitis, heart murmur, and obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected lower extremity disabilities.

The Board found that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, but denied service connection for these conditions as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition, but remands the case for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as lumbar spine disability, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service that is related to the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not begin during or within a year of service and is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his active military service, including his non-service-connected congenital shortness of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals of a low back injury are the result of an in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with a rating of 60 percent effective December 13, 2013. The previous ratings were discontinued and replaced by the new rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip disability was previously denied and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim. The claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will be reconsidered.