Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and need for updated assessments of the Veteran's gait and hip condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected herniated disc with IVDS and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The current evaluation of 40 percent is deemed insufficient to reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to initial compensable rating for pharyngitis is also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, hypertension, and lower lip numbness are not related to service or any incident therein. The current conditions were not present during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back disability. The decision is based on the evidence of record, which did not provide sufficient information to grant the requested increased ratings or establish service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, lymphoma, and ischemic heart disease, were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for papillary thyroid cancer, status post thyroidectomy.,The Board has also granted service connection for dissecting ascending aorta as secondary to the previously service-connected papillary thyroid cancer. However, both cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis claims have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and medical records from private providers. The Veteran is asked to provide detailed information about his injuries and treatments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to service, and her claim for residuals of mononucleosis was denied as there is no current diagnosis of mononucleosis. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the back disability.

The Board has determined that service connection for a low back disability is granted, as there is competent and credible evidence of in-service complaints of recurrent back pain and post-service complaints of recurrent back pain. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy affecting his upper and lower extremities is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, which includes mild degenerative disc disease and moderate arthritis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current low back disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether it is related to any period of active service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for PTSD is dismissed as a matter of law. The reduction in the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted, but the severance of benefits related to loss of use of the lower extremities and specially adapted housing and automobile equipment are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities are granted. However, his claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower and left lower extremities remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, right knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and joint disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus and lumbar strain are found to be related to service, while the claim for missing tooth number 19 is denied as it was replaceable.

The Board finds that the Veteran has residuals of a right fibula fracture and low back condition, both considered direct service connection cases. The appeal for low back condition is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's PTSD, peroneal nerve disability, left hip strain, internal derangement of the left knee, and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.