Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining income information. The claim of entitlement to nonservice-connected pension is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for myofascial lumbar syndrome with degenerative disc disease, L4-5 (claimed as low back condition) due to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The right knee chondromalacia and individual unemployability issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's left knee disorder was not diagnosed during the appeal period and its relationship to service is unclear.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, is due to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disorders are not service-connected as they are related to a September 2001 motor vehicle accident during civilian employment. The Veteran did not have any complaints or diagnoses of these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including an addendum VA examination to address the functional loss due to flare-ups and additional limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature of his service-connected disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 40 percent for low back strain from February 7, 2010, to November 5, 2014.,She is also granted separate ratings of 20 percent each for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy since February 7, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and will be reviewed for any additional evidence that may affect the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The Veteran needs a new VA examination by an examiner other than the May 2017 VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that the current disabilities were not incurred in or related to service. The Veteran's residuals of a boxer's fracture of the right 4th metacarpal was also found not warranting an initial compensable rating.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's residuals of a boxer's fracture of the right 4th metacarpal has been manifested by arthritis causing limitation of motion and warrants a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, a right shoulder disability, a left shoulder disability; as well as entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for right superior oblique palsy (cranial nerve IV) with intermittent bilateral diplopia; and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected due to aggravation during active duty, but arthritis and other spine conditions are not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral foot disabilities are related to his service. However, there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service or a direct link between these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS was found to not warrant a higher rating prior to January 28, 2014 and from that date up until May 2017. The current disability evaluation is 40 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder.