Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The issues of service connection for low back disorders and bilateral feet conditions are being addressed.

The Board found the Veteran's April 28, 2010 substantive appeal was not timely filed and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back strain is manifested by pain and limited range of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran does not have a back disability, right finger disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, or insomnia due to his service. His claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding his service-connected mechanical low back pain, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues of increased rating, temporary total evaluation, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's chronic low back strain was characterized by forward flexion greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees prior to February 26, 2013. After that date, the disability was characterized by forward flexion to 30 degrees without ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA outpatient records. The TDIU component of the claim will be readjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury resulting in these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip condition and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that his current lumbar spine condition is related to or aggravated by his service-connected right hip condition.,A supplemental examination was ordered to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is related to his military service.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a personal hearing but he failed to appear. The case is now remanded due to this failure.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right shoulder and back disabilities were denied, with the right shoulder rated at 40 percent and the back disability rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but additional evidence is needed to determine if there are any connections between his current disabilities and his military service. The Veteran needs to provide more information about specific incidents in service that may be relevant.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to December 1, 2011 is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. The issue also includes whether a separate compensable evaluation for radiculopathy should be granted during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right patellar maltracking and lumbar spondylosis are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current upper back disability, including cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, or bone spur of the back that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service, and the issue of TDIU is remanded for readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck condition, headaches, and PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims and concluding that there is no causal relationship between current conditions and active duty service.