Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including residuals of post-epidural anesthesia back strain, has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less and does not have associated objective neurological abnormalities for which separate ratings can be granted. Therefore, the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder, initial ratings for his myofascial strain of the lumbar paraspinal muscles and bilateral retinitis pigmentosa, and staged rating for asthma. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear opinions regarding arthritis and aggravation of disc disease. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and medical records from private physicians. The appellant's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain additional medical records and insurance award documentation. The claims will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, eye, and neurological disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or any nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral shoulder/upper back disorder or left knee disorder that is related to her military service. The claim for bilateral pes planus was granted, and the right knee disorder (shin splints) claim is encompassed in the award of service connection for shin splints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are not related to service, while his right hand disability is less likely caused by a service injury.,Service connection for all three conditions (low back, neck, and right hand) was denied.

The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they are not related to his active duty service or any recognized chronic condition that manifested within one year of separation from service. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammertoes and plantar calluses.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service connected, and his increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current benefits award.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD with pulmonary fibrosis and a low back disability, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with compression fracture and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 15, 2011. His radiculopathy of the right lower extremity involving the femoral nerve is also rated at 10 percent, effective September 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and identifying the appellant's dates of service in the U.S. Army Reserve.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left shoulder disorder or a back disorder that is service-connected. The Board finds the evidence does not support granting service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic mechanical low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The VA examiner found that her range of motion was full in all relevant areas with no objective evidence of painful motion except for one instance during repetition testing.