Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The current rating of 40% is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic mechanical back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. However, a TDIU was granted from September 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of an October 2010 VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining another VA examination and considering any additional evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral ankle disability or tinnitus, and the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection. The claim for a knee disability secondary to lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was not adjudicated.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability from November 10, 2003. The claim was previously denied in March 2013 due to insufficient evidence and is now remanded for further development.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a low back disability with left leg radiculopathy due to service, as arthritis was first shown years after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA spine examination to assess the severity of his low back disability. The examiner should consider the DeLuca criteria, neurological manifestations, and any incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating, and his claim for TDIU is denied as he has not demonstrated that his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment of a sedentary nature during the period January 1, 2008 to August 30, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as herniated nucleus pulposus with right radiculopathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is pending.

The Veteran's right eye condition, currently diagnosed as latent hyperopia, is etiologically related to his active duty military service. The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back strain and right shoulder rotator cuff injury were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on his back condition, which is being considered in conjunction with the reopening of his service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability and whether it had its origin in service.