Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his back disability and multiple explosion residuals. The VA will need to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered in making a decision on these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand is at least as likely as not incurred in active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disease is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for updated examination and additional records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and granted earlier effective dates for service connection for sciatic neuralgia of the right lower extremity and TDIU. The effective dates are May 10, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar sprain with spondylosis and degenerative disk disease was granted, but the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating. A separate 10 percent initial rating was assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.,There is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and his claimed right hip and low back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for an earlier effective date for service connection for coronary artery disease. The claim for increased evaluation of coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right knee, lumbar spine, and right leg disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine disorders (DDD, spondylosis, and arthritis) are not etiologically related to service. The symptoms of a lumbar spine disorder were not chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year following service separation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and clarification of addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed low back disability and headaches.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine was granted, with an effective date of November 1, 2003. The current maximum schedular rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 2, 2011. From that date forward, the rating has been increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at a 20 percent rating since September 30, 2013. The right lower extremity radiculopathy continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain post-service treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a spine examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his low back and hip disabilities are not. The eye disability claim remains unresolved.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions has been denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic low back disability during service or within one year after discharge, and the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.