Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with arthritis and service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with arthritis, finding that all criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's back disorder. The Veteran was asked to identify all sources of treatment he received, including those from Twin City Spine Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed sleep apnea, skin disorder (neurodermatitis), and low back disorder are related to his period of service.,However, the evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as well as for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back condition is not etiologically related to his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection. The issue of tinnitus remains pending as it was not adjudicated in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his current left shoulder and low back conditions with service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no current evidence of such a condition and thus no basis to reopen his previously denied stress fracture residuals claim. The low back issue is being addressed separately.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist ganglion cyst is withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues, including the initial rating for left long finger fracture and service connection claims for psychiatric disorder, cervical disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not etiologically related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension or low back disorder, as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his active duty. The post-service records do not show any treatment for these conditions until years after separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability has been granted a compensable initial evaluation of 10 percent effective August 30, 2013.,Service connection for the right knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of L5-S1 has been rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period. However, during this time, he experienced severe limitation of motion with pain and had incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during a 12-month period, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to afford him a VA examination for his upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an orthopedic and psychiatric examination for his low back disability and PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after all appropriate development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining complete service treatment and personnel records from the appellant's National Guard units. The appeal will be considered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with meniscus tear are currently rated at 10 percent each. The claims for higher ratings have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's radiculopathy and hypertension were not incurred in service, but granted service connection for her low back disorder (including lumbar radiculopathy) as a direct result of active duty.

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