Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any chronic respiratory disorder or low back disability during his active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the current respiratory and low back conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a low back condition in service, and the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease does not appear to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including the provision of an examination and consideration of whether his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unemployable prior to August 15, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the February 2014 VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to symptoms since service, and therefore grants service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of a low back disorder. As a result, the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic mechanical low back condition was rated at 20 percent prior to April 26, 2006 and from March 23, 2007. From April 26, 2006 to March 22, 2007, a 40 percent rating was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to unclear evidence regarding his employability solely based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his back disability was denied. For the period beginning October 27, 2011, an increased evaluation of 20 percent was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and considering the Veteran's unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case to accommodate the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal will be addressed after the hearing is conducted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear examination reports and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his thoracic/lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not first manifest during his period of service or within the first year thereafter, and the preponderance of the competent evidence is against a finding that his current low back disorder is related to any aspect of his service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to July 14, 2009 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at or below 30 degrees.

The Veteran's service connection for a pilonidal cyst with residual scar, rated as 10 percent disabling, effective January 12, 2012, now qualifies him for VA healthcare benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as attempting to obtain in-patient hospitalization records from Germany. The Veteran's lower back disorder and hepatitis are being examined by a VA examiner to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and mild bilateral pes planus were dismissed as the Veteran did not file a timely NOD or substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.