Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability does not warrant a rating greater than 20 percent prior to October 15, 2013, and greater than 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and back disabilities, finding no credible evidence of a nexus between current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be causally related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for asthma. The low back disability issue remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, an extraschedular evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is caused or made worse by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee.,However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's low back disorder and his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hand disability and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg/knee disability and low back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not etiologically related to his period of active service or due to his service-connected pes planus.,Service connection was granted for pes planus in November 1973. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for this condition.

The Veteran's neck injury and associated conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 20 percent for both upper extremities' peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and service personnel records, as well as consideration of new evidence submitted after the RO's most recent adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including syncope, depression, lumbar spine strain, left knee disability, and frequent falls. The issue of eligibility for specially adapted housing was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and a left hand disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria to establish current disabilities for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of previously requested examinations.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability, as the previous examination was incomplete. The Veteran's service records show an in-service injury, but there are also post-service treatment records indicating ongoing issues with his back.

The Board found no evidence of a low back injury or disease during service, and the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board found no current diagnosis of an upper back or adjustment disorder for which service connection is warranted, and thus denied the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD was granted service connection, but his left hip arthritis and type II diabetes mellitus were denied.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's postoperative left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of her ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not have an employment handicap for vocational rehabilitation purposes.