Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disabilities. A temporary total rating (TTR) for one month following October 30, 2009 surgery on the left foot is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left leg wound scar in Muscle Group XI was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to February 22, 2011, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, TBI, a back disability, and a right hip disability cannot be substantiated due to lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor or injury. As such, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities was granted with an effective date of August 27, 1995.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, and a right knee disability due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his back disability has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing evidence and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine the current nature and etiologies of his claimed left hip, back, left and right knee, left and right hand, right ankle, and coccyx disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of neck disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral feet disability, diabetes mellitus, heart attack caused by clogged artery, psychiatric disorder (anxiety attacks and nervousness), headaches, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral arm disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(s) is denied as he does not meet the requirements for SMC based on his total disability rating due to PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities rated at less than 60 percent combined.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability, but did not reach a decision on whether service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records from his initial period of active duty in the Army. The case will be returned to the Board after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus and recurrent ingrown toenail of the left great toe are service-connected. However, there is no evidence to support a finding that her back disability is related to service.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and recurrent ingrown toenail of the left great toe. Her back condition was not found during the May 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical guidance regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting congenital disease of spina bifida occulta was aggravated by her service, specifically basic combat training exercises. The claim will be further developed and a clarifying addendum opinion is needed.

The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, as well as his OSA, are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and had its onset at least one year after separation. The service-connected Raynaud's disease is also not causally related to the lumbar spine disorder, nor did it aggravate the lumbar spine disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.