Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right finger or hand injury and found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied as it was not shown to be caused by or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for a lumbar spine disability with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 60 degrees or less. The evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this.

The Veteran's service-connected congenital lumbar stenosis with disc bulges and chronic low back pain is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The residuals of frostbite of the feet have also been denied as they are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine if any current lumbar spine disorder is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability and whether any current bilateral foot disability had its onset in service. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his low back disability prior to May 2, 2013, and for a TDIU prior to that date has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his low back disability beginning on May 2, 2013, and for a TDIU beginning on that date has also been withdrawn.

The Board has ordered another remand due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The case will be readjudicated after all requested information has been obtained.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain SSA records and for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues on appeal are an increased evaluation for a lumbar spine disability and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pain disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy and neuropathy of both lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including their etiology. A new VA examination by a rheumatologist is required.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The effective date of this rating decision is not specified.,The Veteran's asthma is denied, with no higher than a 10 percent evaluation being granted.,A 30 percent evaluation is granted for the Veteran's muscle tension headaches.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for each of the Veteran's elbow tendonitis conditions.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is denied and remains at its current 0 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his service representative, and thus the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and intermittent saddle anesthesia is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle condition is not related to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The issue of service connection for a low back disability remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and its impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated as part of this process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a low back condition and zygomatic arch fracture residuals were withdrawn. The Veteran was granted service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis, bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a medical examiner to address the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.