Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

For the period prior to July 5, 2011, the Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities were not rated as compensable. The lumbar strain was granted but at a non-compensable level.,From July 5, 2011 onwards, the Veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee is rated at 10 percent, while his chondromalacia of the right knee remains at 0 percent. The lumbar strain was upgraded to a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, thus denying the reopening of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings or a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete notice, missing records, and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and right little finger (pinky) disorder. The Veteran's current disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining current records and etiological opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder to include cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and hip disabilities are not related to his active military service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed right hip disorder is related to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder, and whether it pre-existed his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the claim to service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of radiation treatment.

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

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied, as the pre-existing pes planus did not worsen during service and the lumbar DDD and bilateral knee DJD are due to aging. The effective date of CAD service connection is set at February 23, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The claim is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development of his claims. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for a right foot/ankle injury, which will be reviewed as part of this process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period prior to July 15, 2009, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a 40% evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's low back condition is related to his active service, and he has been granted service connection for this disability.,While the Veteran reported right knee pain during service, there is no evidence of DJD within one year post-service. The Board found that the current DJD of the right knee is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of his service connection claims for residuals of a broken right fifth finger and residuals of a broken nose have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of claims for left condition, right knee condition, and low back pain.