Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current knee, back, and hip disabilities to his in-service motor vehicle accident. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and assigned a 20 percent rating. The Veteran's mid-back disorder is also service-connected, but the issues of bilateral ankle disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was not new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board remanded the case for additional development including obtaining National Guard records and verifying periods of active duty and INACDUTRA.

The Board has ordered additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 9, 2013. Since that date, it has also not met the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 31, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a video-conference hearing. The claim of reopening service connection for low back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Her lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, but the Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not service-connected as they did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring that all pertinent evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, kidney disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and gout of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability and determined that it is due to injury incurred in active or inactive duty for training. The right knee and left knee disabilities are also found to be related to such injuries.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability, which was characterized as spondylosis, lumbar spine with surgical lumbar intervention and no lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran disagreed with this decision in June 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the extent of his cervical spine disability and whether he has headaches due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are service-connected, but his left shoulder disability and back disability cannot be linked to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability, which resulted in a spinal fusion at L4-L5 with spondylolisthesis, has been found to warrant an evaluation of 40 percent since October 1, 2009. The Board also determined that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar strain, but the Board finds that the current evidence is insufficient to establish a link between his current condition and active service. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.