Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disability was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The surgery resulted in post-operative scar tissue and worsening degenerative joint disease, but these were considered unrelated to the care provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to report for several VA examinations scheduled in November 2012, which prevented a determination on his claims. The evidence does not support service connection for osteoporosis, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disorder, or low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ due to concerns regarding informed consent and the potential for additional disability caused by VA care. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and osteoporosis of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral femoral necks are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was caused by an April 21, 1966 motor vehicle accident but not incurred during a period of qualifying service. The Board concluded that the disability was aggravated during his ACDUTRA from February 8, 1968 to March 23, 1968.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back injury with L5-S1 degenerative joint disease was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease is rated at 60 percent since January 8, 2003.,The Veteran's residuals of a right hernia repair do not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service and concluded that the current low back disability is not related to service. The appeal for service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review of the Veteran's claims file and an orthopedic examination to address secondary service connection by aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and ensuring all records are associated with the claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiners concluded that the sacralization was congenital and did not worsen due to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his low back disability was granted, with an effective date of August 18, 2007. The current rating is 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed thoracolumbar, cervical spine disorders, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, bilateral eye disability, and kidney disability are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, and his lumbar spine, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for any of these conditions.