Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and knee disorders. The VA examination report must be supplemented with an addendum, and all relevant records should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 6, 2004 for service connection for C3-4 degenerative disc changes with severe stenosis (claimed as a neck condition) as secondary to service-connected right knee chondromalacia and arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ingrown toenails, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they caused or contributed to his cause of death, which was terminal lymphoma. The Board has ordered a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated as 10 percent disabling from December 27, 2011 to October 7, 2013.,Effective October 8, 2013, the rating for her low back disability was increased to 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by service. Service connection was also granted for a low back disability, but the examiner did not provide an opinion on whether it was proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clarification from VA examiners regarding their previous opinions.

The Veteran's current penile dermatitis is found to have begun during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The thoracolumbar spine disorder claim remains pending as remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical lumbar spine strain was not shown to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent prior to July 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed back and neck disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hip and leg disability with arthritis, and acquired psychiatric disability including depression are not related to service or an incident of service origin.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not manifested during service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to such service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his chronic thoracolumbar strain and left lower extremity neurological impairment, as well as a TDIU claim. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination with an appropriate medical expert.

The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level due to their current functional limitations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease status post herniated disc L5-S1 was rated at 40 percent effective July 30, 2012. Her radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with this condition remains at 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent since that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for clarification of a VA examiner's opinion and further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.