Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, and left ankle disability. The claim for a bilateral foot disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, left knee, and right knee conditions are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and subluxation of bilateral anterior femoral head, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service injuries. The claim for service connection for a lower back strain was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by severe pain and limitation of motion, has been rated at the highest available rating under the musculoskeletal system criteria. However, there is no evidence of ankylosis of the entire spine or associated neurologic abnormalities that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 30, 2011 and as 40 percent disabling after that date. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to have begun in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The psychiatric disorder claim, specifically regarding PTSD, remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing idiopathic scoliosis of the lumbosacral spine was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for cervical disc disease. The Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, neurogenic bladder, and neurogenic bowel. The Veteran's conditions are related to his previously service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and the Board found new and material evidence to support this claim. The remaining issues of cervical strain, low back disorder, stomach disorder, and leg cramps are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine prior to October 1, 2003 have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased evaluations, with the effective date being from March 22, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus could not be presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. The service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or within a year after separation, nor can it be presumed due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for a back disorder was also denied as the medical evidence did not support a direct relationship between the current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including dextroscoliosis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, is aggravated by his service-connected trochanteric bursitis and degenerative joint disease of the left hip. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.