Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not receiving a hearing notice at his PO Box address, and another DRO hearing is scheduled. The appeal will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are service-connected. The right and left ankle disabilities have been remanded for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder and lower back disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records, including SSA records and VA treatment records. A new/updated VA medical examination for aid and attendance and/or housebound status is needed due to the Veteran's assertions at his hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for her thoracolumbar spine DJD was denied as the symptoms did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for burns to the hands, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder. The issues regarding back, right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder disorders, and left knee disorder were reconsidered but also denied on the merits.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability from September 9, 2010 to May 7, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for higher initial evaluations for his knee disabilities and a left index finger disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's March 2006 notice of disagreement was not timely, and thus denied his claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a neck condition, and a back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lower and middle back disorder due to incomplete records, including accident investigation reports from Honduras, post-service treatment records, and private medical releases. The case will be reviewed based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current disabilities and obtaining treatment records from the Navy Hospital at Mucosa.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to December 5, 2013 and on or after December 5, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including generalized arthritis, a low back disability, and an inguinal hernia, are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, psychiatric disorders, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance for his service-connected disabilities, including right knee injury, chondromalacia of the left knee, and lumbar spine disability, was granted effective May 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of private medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being reviewed.