Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for medical examinations to address the Veteran's flat feet and low back disability claims. The earlier effective date claim is also inextricably intertwined with a CUE claim.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to an increased initial rating for lumbar spine DDD and a TDIU. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and will attempt to obtain additional evidence before deciding the claims.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the claim on a secondary basis. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his sleep apnea claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and review of recent medical records. The claims for service connection and increased rating are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to active service. The VA examination and private opinion provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected back disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his shoulder disabilities and low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are etiologically related to his in-service combat stressors. The claims of service connection for low back disorder, hypertension, and bowel disorder remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are found to be aggravated by pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine L2-5, S1 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records and provide an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities have been granted a combined rating of 20 percent, effective since November 10, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for prostatitis and IBS as secondary to the service-connected prostatitis. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is not shown to have been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. The heart disability was assigned a staged rating of 100 percent effective July 7, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, was caused by his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, particularly whether it is related to his service-connected right ankle disability or if it is a separate issue. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person; and he is neither bedridden nor housebound.

The Veteran's death was caused by a heart disorder that was aggravated during service due to his pre-existing psoriatic arthritis, which contributed substantially to his cardiovascular condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, groin injury residuals, pulled abdominal muscle, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing condition (chronic bronchitis), colon cancer, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, gout, and hemorrhoids (precancerous condition). The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA service.