Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since November 24, 2009. The most recent VA examination found the Veteran's forward flexion to be limited to 55 degrees and extension to 15 degrees.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service, including an inservice automobile accident. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her chronic lumbosacral strain is granted, with the effective date being February 17, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as of November 8, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 8, 2016 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current manifestations of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not etiologically linked to any in-service injury, event, or disease and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including lumbar strain, L4-5 spondylolisthesis grade 2, and spinal stenosis is related to his active service. The Board finds that reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran has been resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence and medical opinion.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran has abandoned his claim due to his failure to provide necessary authorizations for VA to obtain records pertinent to his low back disability, including those from an on-the-job injury in February 2010. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and left knee disabilities. The right knee disability rating issue is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The VA examinations provided did not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities have been remanded by the Board due to additional development being required.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, but determined that new evidence supports reopening of his claim for mid-back disability. The clothing allowance claim was denied as there is no indication that the Veteran uses a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance due to any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis, is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The appellant's active service was less than 90 days and he was discharged due to not meeting the procurement medical fitness standards. Therefore, he is not eligible for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with wedging of the thoracic vertebrae is being remanded due to inadequate examination and development needs.

The Board found no current diagnoses for the claimed left thigh, left shoulder, right elbow, low back, and neck conditions. The VA examinations and medical records did not support a connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbago and granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and schedule him for VA examinations.