Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly from private chiropractic treatment providers and VA outpatient clinics.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service, including his complaints during active duty. The preponderance of evidence indicates the condition began after service and is not linked to any in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 29, 2005. The RO granted a full grant of this issue.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, does not warrant a rating higher than the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on this issue, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder bicipital tendinosis and lumbar strain disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no link between the Veteran's current back, left knee, and right knee disabilities and his service. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions started during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, bilateral knee strain with arthritis, and lumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, as well as her issues regarding sleep disturbances. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative disk disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied her claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine did not have its onset during service or due to any in-service event, including ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The VA examiner concluded that the progression of the spinal disease was more likely related to age, genetics, non-service-connected work, and activities of daily living.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. Hypertension is presumed to have been incurred within one year of separation from service due to consistent blood pressure readings. Lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is also presumed as it was diagnosed shortly after service discharge. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is considered service-connected based on its onset during military service and no evidence against this.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied because the medical professionals certified that her service-connected lumbar and right knee disabilities do not require the use of a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance which tends to wear or tear her clothing.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent since July 14, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteochondroma of the thoracic spine is a congenital disease that did not manifest prior to service, and his DDD of the lumbar spine is service-connected. The decision grants both claims.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient information in the medical opinion provided on prior remand. The Veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated for direct service connection, secondary to his already service-connected bilateral knee disability, and whether it is related to military service.

The Veteran's low back pain with spondylosis was rated at 10 percent effective June 17, 2010. The initial noncompensable rating for the period from August 1, 2005 through June 16, 2010 is confirmed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right shoulder, low back, cervical spine, and left hip disabilities.