Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that there are no separate neurological manifestations involving either upper or lower extremities associated with the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, respectively.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability, but denied the claim for service connection of a left hip disability as it is not related to service or the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied as his lumbosacral strain and right knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent. For the period prior to October 23, 2008, he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and worker's compensation records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability with radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon, and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective December 4, 2007.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's treatment records from the Birmingham VA Medical Center and determine if his current low back pain is related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right hand, left hand, right leg, and left leg disabilities. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's low back disorder was incurred in service and the Board finds that service connection for this disability is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in May 1998, but he submitted a notice of disagreement and the effective date is set to April 14, 1998.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been presented. The claims are now granted as both conditions are found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for further examinations regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, and scheduling a comprehensive VA spine examination. The issues of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise that hypertension may be related to PTSD or herbicide exposure, and an upper and lower back disorder may be related to service. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear requests for hearings and needs clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis; or, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months. Therefore, he is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and remanded it for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected right ankle disability. The examiner concluded that the current low back condition is less likely as not caused by or related to the right ankle disability.