Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to disease or injury in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia and fibula fracture did not result in any compensable limitation of motion or impairment, as he underwent below the knee amputation due to peripheral artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his current severity of lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service and may not be presumed to have been.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial evaluations assigned for the disabilities granted by the February 2009 rating decision are not supported.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking in-service hospitalization records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to her service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 24, 2014. Prior to this date, the disability warranted a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his assertion of an in-service injury and concluding that any current lumbar spine disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current lower back disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine DJD has been manifested by forward flexion limited to no less than 70 degrees, including as a result of pain during repetitive motion. The medical does not reflect any additional functional limitation due to pain or similar symptoms on repeated use or during flare-ups; nor does the evidence reflect that the service-connected disability is manifested by ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with incapacitating episodes. Therefore, the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent prior to March 18, 2015 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be reviewed again after these developments are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome are not related to service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's back condition, prior to May 25, 2010, warrants a rating of 40 percent due to symptoms including pain, stiffness, weakness, and severe flare-ups resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.