Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip condition and rotated torso (back condition) are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the obtaining of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disorder was incurred in, or caused by, his military service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an additional examination to determine if the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 60 degrees or less, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine to 120 degrees or less, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis.,Prior to September 15, 2014, the Veteran's left foot sprain with aggravated acquired left pes cavus has not met the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5278. From September 15, 2014, the Veteran's condition has not met the criteria for a 30 percent rating under DC 5278.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service, as well as potential secondary effects from his service-connected knee and foot disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disorder. The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as thoracolumbar strain with degenerative spondylosis and mild degenerative joint space narrowing L4 through S1, had its onset during service and is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thoracic degenerative disc disease with lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous medical examination and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and disc bulge was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not support an increased rating as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the evidence supports these ratings based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service and no medical nexus to active duty. The Veteran's current condition was not shown within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and a back condition. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is service-connected and granted.,Since April 12, 2016, the Veteran has been assigned a 40% rating for his lumbar strain due to moderate radiculopathy in the left lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance as his service-connected lumbar spine disorder does not cause wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbosacral spine disability and determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His back disability is rated at 40 percent, his sleep disorder was not found to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition, and his bilateral knee disorder was also not found to be related to service.