Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and low back disabilities are service-connected, with the opinion of a VA physician supporting this determination.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic back disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Spinal arthritis was not exhibited within the first post-service year.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current lumbar spine disorder to active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate addendum opinions and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's right leg fracture residuals did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to July 13, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's shin splints of both legs and assigned a 10 percent rating effective May 14, 2010. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic back condition and granted it, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated by an in-service injury. The claims for degenerative joint disease of the knees and shoulders are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his limited range of motion is attributed to nonservice-connected lung cancer and post-surgical treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, PTSD with secondary depressive disorder and chronic sleep impairment, and left ankle disability are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU starting from March 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right wrist disorders are not related to his active service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case to further develop evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder is found to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner diagnosed osteoarthritis of bilateral feet, but did not find a current diagnosis for the left shoulder disability or low back disability. Service connection was granted for the right shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during military service, and because the Veteran had filed a timely appeal on these issues. The CUE claims regarding the September 30, 2008 rating decisions are now moot.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the criteria for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following his left knee surgery in June 2011 are not met. The issues of PTSD, right shoulder condition and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action, including a TDIU referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting limitations in range of motion and functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current back conditions are related to service, including reported calf pain and combat experience. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.