Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder and residuals of a head injury are found to be related to service, resulting in the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg restless leg syndrome is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The decision on the back disorder issue remains pending as it was denied in an August 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent since March 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and temporary total evaluations due to his right ankle surgeries have been granted. The initial evaluation for the right ankle sprain remains at 20%.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a service-connected lumbar spine disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran and her representative withdrawing the appeal. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraines, left ankle disability, back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted. The claim for PTSD has not been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his heart disability and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including issuance of a supplemental statement of the case and obtaining an addendum opinion regarding service connection for a right knee disability. A new VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services rendered at OSUMC on February 10, 2010 is denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for a 'medical emergency' under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was caused by radiation treatment for his service-connected testicular cancer, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Board found no evidence of a back disorder or left knee disorder present in service, and concluded that any current disorders are not related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for the claimed conditions was denied due to lack of evidence showing their onset during service or being linked to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran has degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine that is the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The evidence does not support a finding that the appellant's current back disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection on a secondary basis due to PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident. The disabilities were first shown many years after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a deviated nasal septum, left knee disability, and back disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.