Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine and sinus disabilities, as well as additional development of the record.

The Veteran's post lumbar puncture headaches have not been characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability at any time during the appellate period, thus he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional examination to determine if the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to the ratings and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including right ankle instability, right knee chondromalacia patella, left degenerative joint disease, and low back osteoarthritis. The appeals are being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran does not have a low back disability that is attributable to active service and the Board finds that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck/upper back and low back conditions are not related to service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for a sleep disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of any diagnosed sleep condition during service or currently.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, and new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for left knee, low back, head injury residuals, and bilateral foot condition (cold injury residuals).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected low back disorder. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to service or to an incident of service origin.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, right ankle disability, and psychiatric disorder. The claim seeking an increased rating for his right knee disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence related to the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the knees, back, or right ankle to support service connection claims.,VA examinations in June 2009 found no current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of his reported exposures, events, and medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence for service connection of anemia and a need for another VA examination to determine the current severity of the low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and right upper extremity paresthesias.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, effective since August 14, 2010. The previous evaluation was 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot drop with partial peroneal palsy, low back disability, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been withdrawn. The Veteran has a current neck disability that was likely incurred during service, and her service connection claim for a left knee disability is granted.,Prior to January 12, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD disability rating is increased to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury to the feet or a back disability related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not increase in severity during service and thus cannot be considered aggravated by service. The claim for hepatitis C is also denied as there is no evidence of a causal relationship to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's disability severance pay should be recouped from his VA compensation benefits, as it is based on a disability incurred during his third period of service. The VSI payments are separate and do not affect this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee disabilities are on appeal.