Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's service from November 28, 2000, to May 28, 2004, was discharged under Other Than Honorable (OTH) conditions due to misconduct. Therefore, this period of service is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The VA examiner found no additional disability resulting from the November 2008 examination, and concluded that the Veteran's back condition was already present prior to the examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II, as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a respiratory disorder (sinusitis) due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and left-side radiculopathy are found to be related to his service-connected right ankle fracture. His initial rating for the right ankle is increased from 10% to 20%, effective July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the Reiter's syndrome claim has been granted, and it is determined that the disability was incurred in service.,Regarding the lumbar spine issue, as well as the psychiatric disorder issue, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if these conditions are manifestations of Reiter's syndrome or separate disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 13, 2015, and as 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and right shoulder disability were evaluated, with the majority of issues denied. The lumbar strain was rated at 20 percent, while the right shoulder disability received separate ratings for subluxation (30%) and limitation of motion (10%).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in a June 2017 letter, and therefore no further action is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination report and for further evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability as a result of his active duty service and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in active service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination. The issues of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, psychiatric disabilities, left hip, right hip, and right hand disabilities are now before the Board.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities. He contends that he injured his right ankle while carrying ship's supplies in late 1958, which caused or aggravated his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU.

The Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities are not service-connected. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of degenerative changes in the right shoulder, but there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service.,For his back disability, the Veteran has multiple degenerative changes and other conditions, including mild disc space narrowing at L5-S1, osteopenia, and atherosclerotic calcification. However, there is no evidence of any injury or chronic condition in service that could be linked to these current findings.