Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing and for the need to schedule another hearing. The claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and low back disorder as well as the claim for special monthly compensation are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition, flatfeet, back problems, hearing loss, and frequent urination. The decision found that pre-existing bilateral flatfeet were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a new examination due to the lack of recent VA examination and possible worsening symptoms.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed chronic low back or right knee disability during service, and the medical evidence does not establish a current diagnosis. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to her active duty service, but VA has determined that they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine if his service-connected back and right knee braces tend to wear or tear his clothing, which could affect his eligibility for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are etiologically related to his in-service parachute injury, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle and low back disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is etiologically related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and the Board grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since April 23, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left wrist fracture disabilities are service-connected. The skin disorder of the hands is not currently service-connected.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the January 1983 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine. The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service injury and accepted his account of a combat-related back injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her lumbar spine disability and provide etiology opinions regarding both direct and secondary service connection for her cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain and granted service connection based on direct evidence of a link between his current lumbar spine disorders and service. The Veteran sustained back injuries in service, including lifting heavy objects and falling off a trailer, which led to diagnosed conditions such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and spondylolisthesis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spine is more likely than not related to his service-connected left knee disability, warranting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's DDD with IVDS of the lumbar spine resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees, but did not result in ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities has been moderate.

The claims of service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, left hip bursitis, right hip bursitis, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his hip disabilities are inconsistent with his in-service medical history.