Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to her in-service injuries and subsequent treatment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of secondary service connection for a back disability is addressed, but as no clear medical opinion was provided regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus, the decision remains mixed.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic low back disability is not etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disorder is found to be related to service, and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability. The TDIU request will also be addressed during this process.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's back disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and bilateral radiculopathy have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the right lower extremity receiving a higher rating than the left.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain medical opinions and records, and then to readjudicate the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease based on continuity of symptoms since service separation. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his left shoulder strain is also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability and has granted service connection, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury and current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability or chronic back disability related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's mechanical low back strain and status-post right tibial plateau fracture do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial evaluation. The evidence does not show that either condition warrants an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for his back and neck conditions, as well as any other relevant issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral testicle disorder and a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's back disability was found to be manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 70 degrees and a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of 210 degrees with pain on motion, muscle spasm, guarding and abnormal kyphosis. The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. The current evaluations of 10 percent prior to June 25, 2012 and 20 percent since that date were found not to meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, and bilateral elbow disabilities are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities and for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy have been rated based on their severity, with the highest ratings granted for both conditions.