Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was not found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 28, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination regarding eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, a left hip condition, and a right hip condition. The claim of service connection for a left inguinal hernia and Crohn's disease is granted.

The Board has not determined whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for polio and a lower back condition. The Veteran's statements, medical records, and other documents do not provide a competent medical link between her claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the withdrawal of his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left tibial medial meniscal fracture. The Board also finds that another examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, L5 with radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for the conditions listed in his claims, and therefore, denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of cervical spine, lumbar spine, left hip, and both knees. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active duty as a Navy Seal.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is rated at 10 percent, the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 5228. The other issues on appeal are not addressed as they involve different conditions and theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder is being remanded due to failure to attend VA examinations and the need to obtain SSA records, treatment records from Hampton VA Medical Center, and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left collarbone disability and left knee disabilities are not currently evaluated at a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease is currently evaluated at 20 percent prior to December 16, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional treatment information. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is causally or etiologically due to service, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40% since November 8, 2013.,Separate 10% ratings are assigned for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus began in service and continues to the present, thus service connection is granted. The low back disability was less likely than not related to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 27, 2008 for the grant of service connection for chronic musculoligamentous strain of the cervical spine in association with minimal degenerative discogenic changes at C6-7. The effective date is based on the Veteran's original claim for a left shoulder disability which was received within one year after discharge from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and increased ratings for his right knee internal derangement and right hand foreign object, finding no current diagnosis of a low back disability and that the existing disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.