Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from August 9, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar stenosis has been rated at 20 percent since August 7, 2006. The Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back, left hip, and psychiatric disabilities. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right leg sciatica and low back disability are found to be service-connected, with a 10% rating for hemorrhoids. The initial compensable rating of 10% is granted for the bilateral foot disability (hallux valgus).

The Board finds that the issues pertaining to a low back condition and bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded for further development primarily for the purposes of obtaining a new examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD), to include as secondary to his service-connected right and left foot plantar fasciitis. However, the issue of whether this claim should be granted remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development regarding duty status during a qualifying period of service. The appellant's claims for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities will be reviewed based on her alleged injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted increased ratings, with the most recent rating of 20 percent effective April 30, 2012. The issues related to TDIU and lower extremity complications were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen tuberculosis or psychiatric disability claims. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was also denied as there is no competent credible evidence of its onset in service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, low back disability, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a videoconference hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge from the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further development and examination regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is permanently aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has found clear and unmistakable error in the July 1998 rating decision, which denied reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The effective date is now set as December 17, 1997.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of relevant medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability to include the shoulders, finding that there was no evidence of onset in service or current disability caused by or made worse by the service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to clarify the nature and severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, including whether any additional spinal disability is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected DJD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions and additional development is needed for service connection claims.