Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest in service and is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during or as a result of military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, skin rash, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tingling feet, cardiovascular disorders, and back disorder. The appeal is considered on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to notify the appellant of a previously scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Board found no evidence of a low back condition during service and denied the claim as there is insufficient credible evidence linking the current low back disability to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and any right leg disability. The issues of increased rating and secondary service connection are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a disability involving the left lower eyelid has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for hemorrhoids and low back disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a new VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and consideration of neurological manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied the remaining issues of upper back disorder and disorders of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the neck, which is considered secondary to the Veteran's low back condition and cervical spine condition. The remaining issues on appeal are deferred pending further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent prior to December 20, 2013, and 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5243 (General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine) with no associated intervertebral disc syndrome, resulting in a maximum 10 percent evaluation. The lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent prior to December 20, 2013, and 20 percent thereafter under Diagnostic Code 5243 (General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine) with no associated intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to an in-service injury. The left knee/leg disability issue was also addressed, but since there is no evidence of a current condition, this claim is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back disorder and knee conditions, as well as their impact on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination.