Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, degenerative changes of the left shoulder, and a low back disability. Service connection was not granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity as it is not considered secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and degenerative arthritis of the spine, are found to affect his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected low back disability, and clarifying the examiner's opinions regarding employment impact and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the claimant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were not incurred or aggravated in active service, and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylolysis of L-5 and determining whether he is unemployable due to this disability. The case will also be reviewed in light of any new evidence obtained.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is related to a documented in-service injury, and his cervical spine condition is etiologically related to his now service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed left hip, left knee, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims are REMANDED for such development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any low back disability, as well as to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip disabilities have been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 60 percent rating for his total knee replacement with degenerative joint disease of the right knee. He also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining clarification on his appeal status, additional medical records, a VA examination to assess neurological symptoms, and an evaluation of his employability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his military service, including injuries sustained from parachuting duties.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the lumbar spine, which is required for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, right elbow, and erectile dysfunction do not meet the criteria for increased ratings or a TDIU. The low back disorder is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. However, he was granted a separate rating for right arm neurologic manifestations related to his service-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 50 percent effective September 24, 2012 due to ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 60 percent effective September 24, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the current disorders are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not considered to be related to his military service or his service-connected post-surgical syndrome of both feet. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU benefits.