Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the claim for an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of any low back disorder found on examination, as previous opinions were inadequate due to not considering the Veteran's in-service injuries and his report of continuing back problems since separation from service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the date of attaining the age of 18 years, which would determine his eligibility for DIC benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and glenohumeral musculoligamentous strain of the right shoulder have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical statement from the February 2014 VA examiner and attempting to obtain records from Dr. K.L. in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's compression deformity of the inferior endplate of L1. The claim for a low back disability other than the compression deformity is being remanded to consider whether it is related to the service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, left ankle disability, and hemorrhoids were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar strain remains at 10 percent, effective March 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and sinus disorder are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it. The decision on the bilateral knee disability issue is pending further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and updating the Veteran's records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent disability rating effective January 6, 2014. His degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine remains at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the VA examiner found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and pain.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have developed in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there has been no manifestation of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran is found to have degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine that was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral degenerative arthritis as due to service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease is found to be proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine ankylosing spondylosis, and readjudicating the issues of initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine ankylosing spondylosis and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.