Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records.

The case is REMANDED for the following: (1) Obtain copies of complete records of all VA evaluations and/or treatment the Veteran has received for GERD, low back, and right and left knee disabilities from April 2011 to the present. (2) Arrange for an orthopedic examination of the Veteran to assess the current severity of his knee and low back disabilities. (3) Arrange for a gastrointestinal diseases examination of the Veteran to assess the severity of his GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his chronic peptic ulcer with duodenal scarring was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. The effective date remains pending as the issue of an earlier effective date has not been adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is caused or worsened by his service-connected left foot amputation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have effectively resulted in the loss of use of his feet, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on this. He is also granted assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, right hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed to determine if it was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion and potential additional private treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for his service-connected back disability is granted. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected back disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder are not related to his time in service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability remains on appeal, as does his request for an earlier effective date for residuals of right index finger laceration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, but his claims for low back disability and bilateral knee disability are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and noted that it resolved without residuals in 1988.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for low back, bilateral hip, bilateral leg, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence suggests a possible link between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected tension headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and rhinitis. Service connection was denied for a right knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a VA compensation examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) as secondary to IHD, both effective from December 8, 2008. The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected.