Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service, including his alleged exposure in an armored tank. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely due to a long-term history of manual labor jobs, multiple injuries, and age-related degeneration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its clinical onset in service and was not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The VA examiner provided rationale for each condition, concluding that there was no link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 1999, to February 2000.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis of type II diabetes and it did not manifest within one year after service separation. There is also no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate examination for each issue on appeal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether it began during service or is related to any incident of service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective April 17, 2003. The Appellant is seeking a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's scoliosis is congenital or functional in nature, and to determine if any current low back disability is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his current condition is not due to any injury or event during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain was denied, and the Board found that he is not entitled to a higher rating based on the current evidence. The claim for TDIU prior to May 25, 2010, was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability, combine to form a 60 percent disability rating. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 22, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for a right finger disability and a back disability. The Veteran's right finger disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as it pre-existed service. For the back disability, the evidence does not show an increase in severity during service, and there is no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of a low back injury or continuing low back problems during or since service, and the most persuasive medical opinion evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and his service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, including atrial fibrillation due to unpronounced mitral valve insufficiency, and a low back disability. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is about his entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected DDD and left leg sciatica. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from the SSA and Dr. H., as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.