Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran did not have continuous or recurrent symptoms of a back disability during service and did not develop arthritis within one year after separation. The claim is denied as there is no evidence linking the current back disability to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disorder and its relationship to service. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to October 26, 2011, or after October 27, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during or as a result of military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues include initial disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease and depression are not service connected. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is caused by or permanently aggravated by her service-connected left knee and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder or heart disorder related to his active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities, nature and etiology of any low back and bilateral hip disabilities, and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or additional functional loss.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of heart palpitations with angina and epilepsy due to his withdrawal of these claims. The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be rendered in this case, including obtaining English translations of Spanish language medical records and providing an adequate VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee, right hip and back disorders as secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture. The VA examinations found no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for de novo review by the Decision Review Officer (DRO) process, and further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the claim for a low back disability and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection was also established for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right Achilles enthesophyte, with the opinion that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and personnel records, which need to be obtained for a new medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for 2014 due to use of a back brace related to his service-connected low back disability. However, he is denied a clothing allowance for the left knee brace as it does not relate to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since December 27, 1999 and TDIU effective from the same date.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective August 6, 2014. The appeal is denied as the rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.