Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion on employability due to service-connected disabilities. The claim will be adjudicated again after the additional development.

The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative disc and/or joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar strain has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) are not related to active duty service, ACTDUTRA or INACTDUTRA. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for ventricular/auricular contractures, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were withdrawn. The claims of increased evaluations for lumbar spine, left hip arthritis, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), left foot disability, and right foot disability have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disability and to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, radiculopathy, and thigh disability. The Veteran may need to provide additional evidence or argument if the benefit sought on appeal is not fully granted.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, diaphragm hernia, and low back disability. However, new evidence did not provide a basis to grant these claims as they are denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as any VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to make a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining VA treatment records and allowing the Veteran to submit private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing as requested by his representative. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 80 percent, qualifying him for specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the July 1995 rating decision, which denied service connection for a herniated lumbar disc with left foot numbness and weakness, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders have been granted, with a rating of 20% for the left knee condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling new VA examinations, and preparing a formal rating decision that rates the knee under appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, thoracic or lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against her claims.