Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of the medical records from Fort Leonard Wood submitted by the Veteran.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of SMC at the rate equal to subsection (m) based on the loss of use of both legs due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities with additional disability (service-connected bronchial asthma) independently ratable as 100 percent disabling from August 20, 2009. The Veteran's claims for higher levels of SMC under 38 C.F.R. � 3.350(f)(3) and 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(o) have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and whether a low back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA spine examination. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral foot disability are on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural plaquing and cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. Service connection for lumbar spine disability was not established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine due to new evidence received since the July 2008 denial. However, the Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and whether he is unable to work due to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (rated at a combined 90%) are shown to render him incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, back disability, and left hip disability are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, and intervertebral disc syndrome was not diagnosed. The Veteran is not currently diagnosed with radiculopathy of either the right or left lower extremity.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, and intervertebral disc syndrome was not diagnosed. The Veteran is not currently diagnosed with radiculopathy of either the right or left lower extremity.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, and intervertebral disc syndrome was not diagnosed. The Veteran is not currently diagnosed with radiculopathy of either the right or left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses due to service-connected disabilities is not in order because she has coverage under a health-plan contract (Medicare).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee and/or left ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of direct or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and VA examinations to determine if any current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including opinions regarding whether his psychiatric disorder and back disability are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 15, 2005, or any earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability and low back disability are both service-connected, with no issues regarding secondary service connection or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, including degenerative disc disease, is rated at a combined 60 percent since June 10, 2010. The claim for TDIU prior to December 30, 2011 is granted.