Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar facet joint arthropathy and bulging lumbar disc are not related to her service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome, and therefore, she cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her cervical spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2013 VA examination and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and any SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed genitourinary system disorder, bilateral eye disabilities (glaucoma), and back disability were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology for these conditions within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing notification regarding personal assault service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbar and thoracolumbar scoliosis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion, as the combined range of motion remained within the 40% threshold.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a previous denial of service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service are considered, but evidence does not support an etiology related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and medical opinions to address the issues of increased rating for residuals of a left foot fracture, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation and earlier effective date for the cervical spine disability were both granted. The effective date is set at July 13, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc protrusion is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain, with degenerative changes at L5-S1, is etiologically related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The heart condition issue remains pending as it pertains to a heart murmur which may be considered a congenital defect or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and any associated neurological disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his low back and neck disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination and treatment records, as well as the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine disorders have been rated at 40 percent since December 21, 2009. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.