Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He will be provided with the option of rescheduling a hearing in accordance with his request.

The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is rated at 20 percent, and his associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity warrants a separate 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded as additional medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the pending claims.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain, effective August 17, 2012. The cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent and remains unchanged.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy due to spinal stenosis of L3 to L5 is not related to service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to determine the proximate cause of his disabilities and whether he is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including examinations and the provision of SSA records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a low back disorder. Service connection is established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities has been withdrawn. The skin rash claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, right and left knee disability, right and left ankle disability, and a left foot disability are all found to be related to service. The initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective January 3, 2007. The condition arose from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on May 13, 2010 at Beatrice Medical Center P.C. was denied because prior authorization for the non-VA treatment was not obtained and VA facilities were available.

The Board found that chronic lumbar strain with intermittent exacerbations was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service, including any in-service injury. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since April 2008. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide new etiology opinions.