Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if service connection for cervical/thoracic spine and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities should be granted, as these conditions may impact her TDIU claim. The RO must also obtain VA medical opinions regarding the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's DDD and lumbosacral stenosis are currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel cervical spondylosis and DDD. The low back disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was insufficient.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain is service-connected, but his degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are related to service, while his left hip and knee disabilities may be related to service or a separate incident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from SSA.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar strain, but the effective date is set at September 8, 2011 as this was the earliest date of receipt of a claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate VA treatment records from Detroit, Michigan. The claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim was denied. His left knee disability received a noncompensable evaluation, while his lumbar spine arthritis and GERD were both denied service connection.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing explanatory information regarding new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis is not caused or made worse by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The claim for an increased rating for right knee disability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain. The Veteran did not have a bilateral ankle disability, and his low back disability was manifested by forward flexion greater than 60 degrees; combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; no muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour; and mild radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it is directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, including DDD and spondylosis at multiple levels, was granted with various schedular ratings from October 1, 2002 to August 1, 2010. The case also addressed a temporary total disability rating based on surgical treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the Montgomery RO regarding all six issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any back or right sciatic nerve disorder related to service and thus denied these claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA spine examination and considering the Veteran's September 2014 PTSD examination report. The claims will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, is attributable to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of a low back injury, finding that his disability did not manifest within one year after service and was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of active or Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disorders are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.