Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and any available private treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after the additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and providing new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities and granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities. The propriety of reducing the left knee disability rating based on CUE is also addressed.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to procedural issues. The issue will be reconsidered and a statement of the case will be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral arthritis of the knees, bilateral arthritis of the hands, and a neck disability to include degenerative disc disease and/or arthritis of the cervical spine. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is granted. However, the reduction in his lumbar spine disability rating from 20% to 10%, effective October 1, 2011, was found to be improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement and its impact on the Veteran's ability to function.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and a low back disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found not to be related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine DJD due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a new VA spine examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability and cervical spine disability are currently service-connected, but the claim for acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as it has been reopened.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current cervical spine disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain, right knee strain and left knee strain had their onset in service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine DJD and arthritis are granted, as is his claim for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issue of entitlement to increased rating for cervical spine DJD remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 70 percent disabling, effective October 18, 2010. Service connection for a back disability and hypertension have not been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is due to an injury sustained during his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine; mixed headache disorder with myofascial neck pain; and traumatic brain injury are May 19, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and a bilateral leg disability, but denied the claim for service connection for a back disability. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by active service.