Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed low back, knee, hand, and foot disabilities on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar strain did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition is manifested at worst by 30 degrees of forward flexion with no indication of ankylosis. The evidence also reveals that the Veteran suffers from additional functional loss due to severe pain and flare-ups, warranting a disability rating of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and heart disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a direct connection to his military service or secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left L5-S1 radiculopathy. The claim of service connection for a left knee disability is reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD L5-S1 is currently rated at 60 percent, effective August 30, 2013. His LLE radiculopathy of L5-S1 is no longer separately evaluated as it is now encompassed within the evaluation for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn. The remaining claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease was denied as this condition is not a compensable disability. The claims for back and eye disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's low back disability, bladder cancer and colon polyps are related to service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Board also found that service connection is warranted based on the Veteran's testimony and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for cervical stenosis with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective February 1, 2013, was improper. The Veteran's service-connected condition remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, foot disability, leg disability, sarcoidosis, migraine headaches, gynecological disability requiring hysterectomy, or back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied as there is no evidence of a psychosis within one year of separation from service and no continuity of symptomatology since then.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated during his deployment to Iraq.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, umbilical hernia, thoracolumbar strain, and left elbow strain. The issues of entitlement to evaluations in excess of 10 percent for these conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and associated neurological abnormalities are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, is not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy.