Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorders, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected cervical spine disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including lumbar disc disease and degenerative changes at L4-5 and L5-S1, is service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service or his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and low back disabilities are not service connected, as they did not manifest during or within one year after service separation. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, bursitis, lumps in breasts, and bone deficiency (osteoporosis and osteopenia). The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen her claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, right thumb disability, back disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for additional development and translation of documents from Spanish.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 22, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.,Secondary service connection was also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability or left shoulder disability and his current spinal conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability and therefore, denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability secondary to a left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for DDD and strain of the lumbosacripve spine, finding that the criteria were not met for a schedular rating higher than 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disorder, left hip osteoarthritis, and initial evaluation of his left foot disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for otitis externa was denied. His claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis with facet syndrome, as secondary to his left knee disability, was granted. The Veteran also received service connection for this condition. However, he did not receive service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the right leg condition remains pending.

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 found that the June 23, 2008 decision denying an increased rating for scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was clearly erroneous due to a failure to apply proper criteria. The correct application would have resulted in a 20% disability rating from May 20, 2006.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service-connected cervical spine disability or any other condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.