Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is at least as likely as not related to a disease or injury in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, mood disorder due to chronic pain, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's right hip disability is claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The low back disability claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a direct relationship with service.,Service connection for residuals of a fractured proximal phalanx of the third finger was denied due to lack of residual or chronic disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a psychiatric disorder, including depression. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his back injuries, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected low back pain with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, COPD, and spinal stenosis with lumbar radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities are being remanded to the RO due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a personal hearing.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate VA examination and address the Veteran's contentions regarding his in-service injuries and parachute jumps. The case will be further reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the Veteran with a comprehensive opinion regarding his employability due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and did not find a presumption of service connection due to exposure. The right knee and ankle disorders were not shown to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's right knee injury has been rated as 10% disabling since October 21, 2006, with no evidence showing it warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability did not cause or aggravate his low back disability, and thus denied service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the spine was denied as it is not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA spine examination to determine the relationship between his lumbar and cervical spine disorders and his service-connected cerebrovascular accident. The TDIU issue remains on hold until the increased rating claim for residuals of cerebrovascular accident is resolved.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating for L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and foot disorders. As a result, these issues are dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee and lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for this condition.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's low back disability due to a lack of evidence linking it to his active duty.