Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and additional development of records, as the Veteran's low back disability may be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the issues regarding radiculopathy of both lower extremities, right knee replacement, and SMC based on housebound criteria are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and a prior effective date for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.,However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board denied this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for his low back disability and earlier effective date claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion clarifying the inconsistency in findings regarding the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney condition, neck disability, and pancreas condition are related to his service-connected disabilities. The heart condition is not directly connected to any service-connected disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing a pre-existing condition at entry into service. The VA examinations and private treatment records do not support a causal relationship between his current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to inadequate evidence regarding the extent of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disk disease during flares.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a more contemporaneous medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain, finding that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition and heart conditions have been granted. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS totaling at least six weeks during the appeal period, thus preventing a rating higher than 40 percent.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition is related to service. The Veteran's physician opined that his low back condition is related to multiple injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and an addendum opinion regarding his service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, left shoulder, and chest disorders are related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Additional examinations are needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and STRs, as well as VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his back, right hip, and right leg disorders.