Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of his original claim. The Board also finds that the current diagnosed low back disability is as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA/VA treatment records. The case will also be reviewed to determine the etiology of any current back disability and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and OPM disability file. The claims will be reconsidered in light of the additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's Air National Guard service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbar spine disability, which includes spinal stenosis. The case has been remanded to the AOJ for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and low back condition are secondary to her service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral pes planus. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and clarification regarding his concurrent receipt of special separation benefits and VA service-connected compensation, including tax application issues.

The Veteran's service-connected low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each since May 31, 2006 to September 28, 2010.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 13, 2011. From that date forward, it did not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff disability, DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, and heart disability (to include hypertension and CAD) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for asthma/sinusitis, cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability in service and denied the claim for service connection, concluding that any current low back disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative changes was found to be manifested by symptoms prior to May 11, 2010, and since then. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to that date and in excess of 20 percent thereafter has been denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection and initial ratings for his left shoulder disorder and bilateral dry eye with corneal erosions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for his left shoulder disorder, as it was productive of no more than moderate impairment.

The Board found that the current disabilities of the knees, low back, and neck are unrelated to an injury, disease, or event in service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for neck, right shoulder, and back disabilities as they were not incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty and is not related to any in-service event. The claim for accrued benefits purposes was also denied as the appellant filed her claim more than one year after the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his service personnel records and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of his current knee and back disabilities to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service altercation and finds that it was incurred during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted.