Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back condition is connected to service and the Board has granted service connection for it. The case regarding the left knee condition and radiculopathy secondary to a back condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left hip disorders have been aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and shin splints, warranting secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from private providers. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, without muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, and without incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed back disorder and residuals of septum hernia.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% disability rating for lumbosacral muscle strain with L5-S1 sacralization (fusion) and myofasciitis is dismissed as the claim was not filed in accordance with legal precedent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed, but no service connection will be granted at this time as it does not meet the criteria based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and a thoracolumbar spine disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome. The appeal regarding an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are directly related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee joint osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are related to her active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, pes planus, and headaches. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his active duty.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for service connection for a ruptured ear drum, tinnitus, and disabilities of the neck and low back. The Board found that the Appellant did not meet the criteria for Veteran status for these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and providing her with a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found no causal connection between the Veteran's in-service lifting injuries and his current lumbar spine disability. For PTSD, there is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection due to lack of credible stressor events.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a rating of 20 percent since February 19, 2013, based on the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has decided to remand the pension claim for further development, including obtaining VA medical examinations and additional records. The Veteran's physical disabilities include lumbar strain with IVDS, tinnitus, and adjustment disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a current lumbar spine disability or left hip disability, and denied service connection for both conditions. The Veteran's right hand disability was not addressed in the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine conditions are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.