Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA spine examination. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including sciatica and radiculopathy of the right lower extremities, is found to be related to her active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently under appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain with narrowing of L5-S1 and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his claims for increased evaluations of reflux esophagitis and hyperhidrosis have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), was incurred in active service and granted service connection. The bleeding ulcers were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to establish a current low back disability or right shoulder disability related to service.,VA will need to provide the Veteran with an examination and obtain medical opinions regarding his bilateral ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed bilateral hip, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, and he is now rated at 40 percent. His left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 10 percent since August 4, 2003.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was not present until more than one year following his discharge from service, is not etiologically related to service, and was not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches, as well as his attempts to reopen service connection claims for various conditions, are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder did not manifest during service or within one year after separation, and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current thoracic T-8 compression fracture was not caused by his service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her service-connected chronic low back strain, rated at 20 percent prior to February 28, 2003, and 40 percent from that date onward, has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by her authorized representative.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation. The intervening injuries post-service also suggest that any pre-existing conditions did not persist.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for chronic low back strain. The claim of service connection for bilateral shoulder condition remains denied as there is no medical nexus linking the current disability to service or a service-connected disability.