Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1 is rated as 10 percent disabling since August 13, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the service connection claims.

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities that severely affect his mobility, necessitating the use of a wheelchair.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, right knee disability, tailbone disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus, type II, have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim or establishing service connection.

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

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability or right shoulder disability (manifested by chest pain) incurred during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's current low back disorder is found to be related to his in-service injury, thus granting service connection on its underlying merits.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently manifested by limitation of motion and moderately severe neurological abnormalities, but no ankylosis or bladder/bowel impairment. The Veteran was granted a separate 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,Effective May 29, 2007, the criteria for a disability rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the low back disorder have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a back disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, finding that the Veteran's current spinal conditions are of service onset.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine with herniated and bulging disc and pinched nerves is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy affecting his lower extremities and resulting in loss of sensation, have rendered him unable to use his feet for driving. As a result, he is granted financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar spine strain is found to have begun in service and was incurred therein, granting service connection for a chronic lumbar spine strain.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current umbilical hernia or any other service-connected disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board is remanding the claim for additional development due to outstanding VA and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine are incurred during or related to her military service, including a noted May 1991 back strain. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially granted in November 1975 with a noncompensable rating. The claim for an increased rating is now before the Board.,Since November 21, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine, has been rated at 20 percent.