Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine DDD with spinal stenosis is related to his combat service and therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability on an extraschedular basis and did not address the issue of a TDIU due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's right hip disability is not shown, and her stomach disorder was found to be secondary to her major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's depression is due to his service-connected left finger disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disorders as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with additional evidence and/or development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and sciatica of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence to establish current diagnoses for the Veteran's claimed back condition or sinusitis. As such, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, prostate disorder, skin disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, fibromyalgia, ischemic heart disease, and sleep disorder. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than a presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for a C-section scar and lumbar spine disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, is substantiated but the issue of bilateral lower extremity disability (peripheral neuropathy) remains pending.

The Veteran's combined disability rating following the December 2011 rating decision was properly calculated. The assigned 40 percent combined rating effective from August 2002 reflects the correct application of the combined ratings table.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, which he claims was caused by physical impact during active duty. The Board finds that further development is required to fully evaluate his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia fracture with left knee traumatic arthritis is found to be the primary cause of his chronic low back strain, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and degenerative disc disease of the low back are secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been denied for increased ratings in excess of the current assigned evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service-connected left leg disability, which caused a leg length discrepancy and altered his gait. As such, the claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to the left tibia is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and IgA glomerulonephritis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.