Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent prior to April 8, 2011. From April 8, 2011 to February 14, 2013, the Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for IVDS with incapacitating episodes. After February 14, 2013, he is rated at 60 percent based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's DM and hypertension are service-connected. The claim for headaches, bilateral foot disorders, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder is reopened.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability. The evidence provided does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to her absence from the initial scheduled hearing. Her claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various joint conditions, finding that they were not secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adaptive housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of evidence showing blindness in both eyes, anatomical loss or use of both hands, or preclusion from locomotion without assistive devices.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

For the period from November 22, 2006 to September 29, 2009, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's current low back disorder is not etiologically related to active service.

The Board found no service connection for a disability of the lumbar spine, concluding that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to her military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is found to have onset during service and is related to that service. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his in-service injury and denied service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and left ankle disorders are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder are not related to service. The disabilities were not shown to have had their onset during service or within one year of separation from service. Moreover, there is no evidence linking these conditions to any injury or event of service origin.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was productive of severe impairment from March 31, 1997, to November 28, 1999, warranting a rating no more than 40 percent.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for August 20, 2009 treatment at St. Francis Medical Center were denied because the condition was not an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The right ankle disability was also not granted as it is related to a pre-existing condition.