Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bowel and bladder dysfunction is associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability, warranting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to an injury she sustained during a period of INACDUTRA, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not caused unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or sufficient periods of incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating.

The case is being remanded for further development, including new examinations and efforts to obtain service treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent is assigned for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current condition is presumed to have been incurred in service, as there is a showing of continuous symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need to schedule him for a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case is now pending for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was granted a 40 percent disability rating effective February 17, 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported this increased rating based on his ongoing symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service as an ART in the Air Force Reserve, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for GERD, and there was no indication of severe impairment of health or other symptoms warranting a 60% rating. For his feet disabilities, the Board noted that the evidence did not show he required at least one month of convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was also denied as service connection is decided on the merits.

The Veteran's low back strain, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome have been rated at 40 percent since May 1, 2008. He also has separate ratings for limitation of extension and flexion of the right thigh associated with his service-connected myositis ossificans.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been granted. The claims for herpes simplex, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, left shoulder disability, and jaw popping resulting from wisdom tooth removal have not yet been decided.

The Veteran's claimed headaches, memory and concentration problems, and muscle aches and pains are not related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disorder.

The Veteran is rendered unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint disease, low back degenerative disc disease, and cervical spinal stenosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and right leg disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The diagnoses provided by VA examiners were inconsistent with the preexisting condition determinations made at service entrance.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected right hip disorder caused or aggravated her low back condition. The VA examiner did not find any objective evidence of chronic recurring muscle spasms.

The Board has granted service connection for left sciatica and a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The right foot disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected lower extremity disabilities, including right knee chondromalacia and chronic exertional compartment syndrome. The Veteran's bilateral leg chronic exertional compartment syndrome was not addressed in the examination report.