Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board is remanding the case for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current back disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to his military service. The Veteran contends that he sustained a low back strain in January 1957, and has claimed continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's back disability but granted service connection for his bladder disability as secondary to his back condition. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability other than chondromalacia, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new medical records and an examination regarding her bilateral leg, hip, and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance. He is also entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total disability resulting from service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), is due to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The claims of increased ratings and reopening of service connection for hypoglycemia are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic right hand disability, bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, or an upper back disability related to active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an examination of his back disorder. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's back disability, with degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, status post fusion surgery with retained hardware, has not met the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a chronic lumbar spine disorder that began during service and is therefore denied service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a back condition.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and converting VA examination reports to comply with VA protocols.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and bilateral foot disability, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to service. The remaining issues on appeal are not addressed as they have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.