Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation for a mechanical lumbar strain was denied as the disability picture is not so exceptional as to not be contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and the need to obtain private medical records from providers who treated the Veteran's back disability between 1970 and 2002.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back and right side disability, as well as for a psychiatric disorder. These claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of a relationship between her current low back disability and her period of active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service, as well as the absence of any new disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with early degenerative joint disease has been evaluated at a 20% rating since the appeal period began. The current evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but his mid-lower back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and scheduling a VA examination to assess her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus, knee disabilities, and tender scars on the bilateral iliac crests.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for chondromalacia of the left knee, effective July 28, 2006. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and back disability have been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not file a timely Substantive Appeal for the July 2005 and December 2005 rating decisions.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating for convalescence following his lumbosacral strain surgery in June 2008 is denied as there was no evidence of severe post-operative residuals after September 30, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as it is not considered a disability. The Board found that there is no current disability associated with the claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and severity of his back disability, as well as whether he has a current left knee disability that was caused or aggravated by service-connected right knee replacement. The Veteran also requested an updated VA spine examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the likelihood of service connection for his claimed conditions and whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder or orthopedic disorders are related to a personal assault incurred in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities, but has dismissed his claim of residuals of pneumonia. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, low back condition, and right foot condition. The Veteran's postoperative residuals of tenorrhapy and neurorrhapy of the right hand were also not granted an increased evaluation.