Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disabilities, best characterized as lumbosacral strain and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 for lumbar spinal degenerative joint disease with recurrent herniated nucleus pulposus and intervertebral disc syndrome, status post diskectomies.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his intent to pursue an increase in the ratings for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was increased to 40 percent effective April 1, 2011. The ratings for associated right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy issues have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective November 25, 2014. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical evidence and adjudicative documents from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and evaluations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with musculoskeletal strain of the lower back, as well as any current respiratory disorder. The Veteran should be provided with a new examination in connection with both claims.

The Board has decided that the claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a low back injury, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension need further development due to incomplete records and requires additional examinations.

The Veteran's hammertoe of the right fifth toe has been granted a noncompensable rating, but no higher. The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent prior to November 17, 2008 and 40 percent beginning June 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Pittsburgh VAMC and associated locations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service parachute jumps, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at the maximum available benefit, with a 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc disease and a 30 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc disease.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at the maximum available benefit, with a 20 percent rating. The left lower extremity radiculopathy has also been rated at the maximum available benefit, with a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible exposure to Chemical Warfare Materials (CWMs) and radiation during service, as well as a VA spine examination to address whether his current back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals of a head injury or a back disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service, is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a chronic low back strain and TDIU.