Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability has been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that a chronic low back disorder was not manifest until many years after active duty service and is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her low back disability and its functional impairment over time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of periods of ACDUTRA and providing a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of residuals of a back injury and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Board also finds that there is reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's low back disability, including DDD and DJD, was incurred during active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The Board also found that there is at least equipoise evidence to support the Veteran's claim of bilateral knee disabilities, thus granting this claim as well.

The Veteran's claim for jungle rot of the bilateral feet was withdrawn by the Veteran.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for tinea cruris of the groin, which is now granted. The condition had its onset in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased evaluations in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, L3-L4 and L5-S1, with mechanical low back pain, and degenerative disc disease and facet degenerative joint disease, multi-levels of cervical spine.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his back disability and service-connected left shoulder and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's L1 compression fracture and associated DJD of the lumbosacral spine are related to his combat service.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to new evidence received from a VA examination, and the Veteran is given an opportunity to respond with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to her military service or service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The Board also found no evidence of a current foot disability due to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any current headaches, low back disorder, bilateral leg and ankle disorder, hip disorder, and PFB.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry and to include any outstanding VA treatment records in the claims file.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine had its onset in service or is related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) is rated at 30 percent effective from July 29, 2005. He also receives a separate rating of 10 percent for headaches secondary to his DDD.,Starting from October 2012, the Veteran's left arm radiculitis is rated at 40 percent and starting from February 16, 2016, it is rated at 70 percent. His left shoulder degenerative joint disease with history of thoracic outlet syndrome is rated at 30 percent effective from July 29, 2005.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU as of October 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 10 percent prior to May 24, 2010, and at 40 percent since that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 25, 1999.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.