Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of T11-T12 through L1-L1 has been rated at 10 percent since March 8, 2007. The current examination shows forward flexion greater than 60 degrees and no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's request for a Board hearing has been granted, and he is scheduled for the next available video-conference or Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video-conference hearing before the Board. The issues are service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a back disability on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a grade one anterolisthesis of the low back was denied. The claim for payment of an additional two months of temporary total disability compensation for service-connected prostate cancer, status post prostatectomy, is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection claims and an increased rating claim. The Board found no evidence of PTSD or a diagnosis thereof, and the right knee disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is etiologically related to service. The claim will be returned after obtaining additional medical records and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for back, right ankle, and bilateral knee disorders as due to a qualifying chronic disability. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and headaches is being remanded.,Headaches are secondary to the service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted. The left knee and low back disabilities are not service connected.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a single permanent disability rated at 100% disabling, and his disabilities do not result in him being substantially confined to his home.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and low back scar have been granted service connection, with a 20% initial rating for the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and neurological impairment of the left upper extremity are not service-connected as they are attributed to known diagnoses, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee, wrist, hand, and back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service or related to a service-connected disability. The right knee disorder was granted service connection but with an initial rating of 10% prior to October 5, 2009, and 30% thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his left knee condition. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU are also part of this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service, but there was no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling examinations.