Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found no evidence of direct service connection for the Veteran's musculoskeletal disabilities, including DJD and knee/low back conditions. The claim was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, including whether it is related to service or her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is service connected as a result of an in-service injury. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition is being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a low back disability, finding that the earliest cognizable date was April 20, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and attempting to obtain SSA and Workers' Compensation records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for his lower back and right knee conditions are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's current low back disability, and whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service. The Veteran was also advised to seek a medical opinion from his primary care provider.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for his service-connected musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine with multilevel degenerative arthritis, right inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar, and left inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the periods in question.,The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine with multilevel degenerative arthritis was rated as 10 percent disabling from February 1, 2008 to June 9, 2009 and as 40 percent disabling from June 9, 2009 to March 1, 2010. The Veteran's right inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar was rated as noncompensable prior to June 12, 2009 and over 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia status post repair with residual scar was rated as noncompensable prior to June 12, 2009 and over 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his active service, including the reported in-service incident during basic training.,A neck disability is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current condition and whether it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with appropriate medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, left hip, GERD and chronic sinusitis disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, lumbar spine, right leg, and right foot disorders. The most probative evidence was against a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent since the initial rating period, and his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease remains at a 20 percent rating. The claims for service connection for presbyopia and liver hemangioma were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative changes are currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 14, 2013. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not show that the disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection for lumbosacral strain was granted with an effective date of April 19, 1995. The rating assigned is 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate examination reports, and a new VA examination is required to determine if any current lumbar spine disorder is related to service or preexisted service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's low back disability, diagnosed as spondylolysis with grade II spondylolisthesis, existed prior to service and was not aggravated during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). Therefore, service connection is denied.