Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge to address whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of mid and low back injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back condition is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine was not proximately caused by participation in a compensated work therapy program, resulting in denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, are not related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted based on direct service connection. No new evidence or changes in the rating system were noted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which includes scoliosis, is rated at 20 percent based on its severity and impact on function.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there were no credible reports of incapacitating episodes of disc disease in the past year, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete consideration of his right ankle disorder claim and updated VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is caused by an in-service event and related to active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent since June 7, 2011. The appeal was granted and the effective date for this rating is set as of that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition was not related to his military service and instead attributed it to an on-the-job injury in 1977.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PCS is granted as the evidence shows it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support its incurrence during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the extent and severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and migraine headaches are service-connected, with the latter being related to his military service. The skin disorder affecting the feet and back is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing on his claim of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, back condition, right knee condition, and sinus problems were denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including PTSD and injuries sustained in Iraq, are denied as there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability or any other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since May 1, 2009. The rating was granted as chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.