Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury. The claim was reopened based on new and material evidence submitted since the final denial, but the Board determined that the Veteran's low back disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not shown to be caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, stroke, DM, and peptic ulcer disease. The issues of reopening claims for bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and low back disability are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar strain disability, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral arm disorder and low back disorder are not causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability and left wrist CTS were denied by the Board, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, as it was caused by trauma sustained during his military service. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability is denied. The separate rating for radiculopathy of the lower right extremity remains unchanged.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder did not begin during or for several decades after his active duty service, and was not otherwise related to service. The claim for hypertension was remanded due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder did not manifest within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by an in-service injury, fall, or other incident.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was granted, with the effective date of May 29, 2014. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for his degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 and L4-5, effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure compliance with the Court's January 2015 memorandum decision and prior August 2012 Joint Motion. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding treatment records from his chiropractor, as well as complete clinical records of all providers identified.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and personnel records from the Veteran's reserve service. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not related to his service, and the neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has resolved.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion, requiring a new VA orthopedic examination by a medical doctor who has not previously examined the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been productive of painful motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as forward flexion is greater than 60 degrees and there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed to include arthritis, existed continuously since separation from service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and IVDS since February 15, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and residuals of a laceration to the left thigh due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral wrist disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or since service.