Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, lumbar spine disability (secondary to service connected bilateral knee disorders), hypertension secondary to PTSD with depression, and an effective date earlier than November 12, 2008 for the grant of an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depression was denied from August 20, 2011 onwards. The Veteran's right knee synovitis and scars residual to gunshot wound of abdomen were not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin conditions of the feet, patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, and left shoulder disability. The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability, which he contends was caused by injuries sustained during his military service. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back muscle strain, reopening his previously denied claim. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including the verification of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training, and for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the evidence received.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of a left index finger laceration is granted, while his PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities remain at the current ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of her lumbar spondylosis disability and consideration of her TDIU claim.

The Board has restored the prior higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with residuals and disc herniation. The remaining claims of entitlement to a higher rating for left shoulder strain, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU are remanded due to procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's back disability is related to his active service, and the Board finds that he has met the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for right knee instability. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran is not rendered unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his former attorney representative indicating he wishes to withdraw the appeals for neck disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during the specified period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper back disability and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for postconcussive syndrome with recurrent headaches. The Veteran did not have a distinct upper back disability other than that already service-connected. His PTSD symptoms were considered under the criteria for TBI.

The Board is reopening the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, but remanding them to the RO for further development due to a lack of a VA compensation examination addressing their etiology.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine, and entitlement to service connection for right arm numbness, including as secondary to degenerative disc disease, cervical spine.

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

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, including arthritis. The current diagnoses do not link these conditions to service.