Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disorder or back disorder that was incurred in service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting findings in a May 2013 VA examination report regarding limitation of motion and/or function following repetitive use testing.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for a back disability, increase rating for post traumatic headaches, and effective date earlier than May 27, 2009 for the granting of a 10 percent rating for a service connected residual scar have not proceeded further.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling as of September 22, 2011. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for his low back disability was denied by the Director of Compensation and Pension Service, who found that the disability is adequately compensated under the regular rating schedule.,A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder in March 2000. The Veteran's claim to reopen the issue of service connection for a back disorder was not successful, and his appeal regarding service connection for chest pain was withdrawn.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted.,An increased rating to 30 percent for right shoulder disability is granted from September 1, 2007 to January 19, 2012. A higher evaluation beyond this date is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands for a new examination to address the claims for service connection for low back disability and neck injury. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether any current disabilities are related to service, including complaints of injuries during service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional VCAA notice. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any missing records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the 1995 rating decision denying back disability. The RO also determined that the evidence did not meet criteria for an increased rating for orthostatic hypertension or micturition syncope.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, bilateral knees, jaw fracture residuals (temporomandibular joint), and left elbow disabilities, are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a Travel Board hearing at the Veteran's earliest opportunity due to his failure to appear at an earlier scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication of his claims, including a TDIU claim and the issue of an increased rating for his spine disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral knees, right hip, and lumbar spine are not related to service or any incident of service. The Board finds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no current left knee disability and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's right, cervical spine, and low back disabilities were not granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his period of active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.