Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's low back condition is rated as 20 percent disabling, right and left foot hallux valgus are both rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and assessing his employment status.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back disorder, depression/anxiety/nerve problems, chest disorder, neck disorder, and mouth disorder. The RO denied some of these claims but granted others. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability or muscle spasms to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, syncope, and residuals of a right arm fracture were denied. The claim for shin splints (bilateral) is pending due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to service and is not caused by or permanently worsened by his VA-compensated thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to her service, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury, and his bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not linked to service. The claims were denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's chronic low back strain has not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear duty status at the time of a motor vehicle accident, and TDIU is inextricably intertwined with service connection claims.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with herniated nucleus pulposus, were found to not warrant initial evaluations in excess of 40 percent prior to June 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for additional examination.