Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knee disabilities, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the current lumbosacral disability was not caused by or a result of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is not warranted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The evidence supports this rating as it indicates moderate symptoms including numbness, tingling, and pain in both legs.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine if there are any new or material issues related to his claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran is sufficient to establish that his current condition had onset during active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current low back disability may be attributed to his pre-existing spinal structure defect, not military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraines and a skin disability have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for a low back disability and eye disability is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and SSA records. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are related to his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of a compression fracture, T12 (claimed as a neck injury), and low back disorder. However, these claims are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reschedule his August 1, 2014 hearing at the local RO has not been fulfilled. The case is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and employment records. The Veteran's eye disorder and left upper extremity disorder will also be examined to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including those related to back surgery. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Denver, Colorado RO for a videoconference hearing and further development. The issues include increased rating for PTSD, non-compensable rating for headaches, and service connection for back disability.

Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, a prostate disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and left knee degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support these claims. Service connection was previously denied for tinea pedis in 1973, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including associated right hip symptoms, is related to an injury sustained during service. The claim for service connection for the right hip arthritis is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for low back, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is likely related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues regarding headaches and migraines are addressed in the REMAND portion.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination is inadequate and further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including consideration of additional range of motion loss due to pain, flare-ups, incoordination, or weakened movement, is necessary. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.