Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% due to limitation of flexion, with no incapacitating episodes. The claim for service connection for deteriorated eyesight was not granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and allergies due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were aggravated during service or existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 7, 2007 for a grant of a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was granted. The current rating is based on direct service connection and not due to any presumption or exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and scheduling of a hearing.

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

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the schedular percentage for a TDIU.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the evaluations of DDD of the lumbar spine and facial scar, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine disorders, as they are not linked to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability was denied. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy associated with his service-connected back disability was granted effective June 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar paraspinal tendonitis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 40 percent is granted for the period beginning May 7, 2010 and ending December 26, 2013. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, warrants a 40 percent rating since May 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions to address the Veteran's right knee disorder, lumbosacral sprain, and chronic scrotal and inguinal pain.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and lower back conditions, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran will need to provide medical records from his treatment in Mexico and VA treatment records for his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, asthma, lumbosacral strain, right quadriceps strain, hemorrhoids, left bunion with pes planus, and other conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain is not productive of any reduction in range of motion, incapacitating episodes, or other functional impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities, including his head injuries and psychiatric conditions, are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for an opinion regarding whether any current back disability had its clinical onset in service or within the first post-service year.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities.