Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's current back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The Board finds that continuity of symptomatology has not been established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's right wrist disability will be examined to determine its severity, and his shoulders and low back disorders will be evaluated to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability), and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee chondromalacia, low back strain, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are related to her service. The Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with sacroiliitis is being remanded due to a scheduling issue.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating and increased ratings for his left knee disability (to 60%) and low back disability (prior to March 4, 2010).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities are not etiologically related to his active duty, as there is no direct evidence of such. The claims were denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and hypersensitivity to sound and light as residuals of traumatic brain injury, lumbar radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral leg disorder), but not for MRSA infection on the spine or residuals of frostbite.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not causally related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries to the Spine.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of certain medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, but granted TDIU. The current rating of 20% for lumbosacral strain is maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the condition is not related to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected Klippel-Feil syndrome with post-operative fusion, C3 through C7 has been found to have caused his bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, including Parkinson's disease-like symptoms with right side tremors.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is also found to have caused his current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated nucleus pulposus, posterior and anterior lumbar interbody fusion, plating at L3-L5 and spinal stenosis with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, hepatitis C, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verifying his duty status and obtaining private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, or left ankle disability. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed unrelated to his military service.