Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for prostatitis and IBS as secondary to the service-connected prostatitis. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is not shown to have been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. The heart disability was assigned a staged rating of 100 percent effective July 7, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, was caused by his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, particularly whether it is related to his service-connected right ankle disability or if it is a separate issue. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person; and he is neither bedridden nor housebound.

The Veteran's death was caused by a heart disorder that was aggravated during service due to his pre-existing psoriatic arthritis, which contributed substantially to his cardiovascular condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, groin injury residuals, pulled abdominal muscle, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing condition (chronic bronchitis), colon cancer, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, gout, and hemorrhoids (precancerous condition). The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA service.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was incurred in service, and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that his bilateral L5 spondylolysis and grade one L5-S1 spondylolisthesis were not related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 60 percent prior to September 26, 2003. Since then, he has been assigned a 40 percent rating for this period.

The Board has decided that the hearing before a Veterans Law Judge should be rescheduled due to the hearing officer's retirement and the appellant's request for a new hearing. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a back disorder, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and each lower extremity. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of PTSD, arthritis of the neck, low back, and left side, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right knee disability, headaches, hearing loss, a disability to account for joint and body aches, and sore throat. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, so there are no specific issues to be decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted, while her claim for fibromyalgia was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and/or left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center South is denied because he was not enrolled in the VA health care system within the required 24-month period preceding his private emergency treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests that all outstanding records be obtained, including VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 1, 1999. The claim for an increased evaluation is granted as of December 21, 2011, when the rating was temporarily raised to 100 percent due to surgery necessitating convalescence. The Veteran's cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent since February 1, 2012.