Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a left wrist disorder, left hip disorder, low back disorder, right arm and wrist disorder, varicose veins, surgical scars of the right leg, right leg disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and issuing a statement of the case on increased rating and earlier effective date issues.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity disability, thoracic spine disability, and left shoulder disability. The preponderance of the evidence does not show a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional VAMC records from March 2000 to March 2007 and from August 2008 to the present should be requested, as well as VA medical examination for joints and spine. The Veteran's claims are remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the issues of service connection for right shoulder, elbow, upper back, and lower back disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability, which he claims is related to an in-service injury. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbago, herniated disc with degenerative disc disease L4-5 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The appeal will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating under VA's General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not show any limitation in range of motion or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination of his psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability, which also includes left lower extremity radiculopathy, was found to warrant a separate 20 percent rating for the radicular symptoms since January 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 6, 2003 for the grant of service connection and initial ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc changes was denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder, including residuals from previous surgery, is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.