Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since May 1, 1996. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for the service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine was granted, and a separate 10 percent rating was assigned for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO increased the rating to 20 percent effective on December 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his PTSD and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral leg disability (sciatica), are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of credible evidence showing an in-service injury or event that led to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized as spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 with degenerative disc disease at L4-5, was rated at 10 percent prior to December 2, 2009. The rating has been granted and is effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to at least 70 percent, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing work that requires sitting, answering phones, and performing paperwork duties. The Veteran cannot perform work involving physical activity due to his back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bursitis of the right elbow, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability (reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left foot).

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back and right knee disorders due to new evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck and back conditions are not related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is reopened and granted as secondary to his service-connected respiratory disability.,Service connection for asbestosis is granted based on exposure during active duty at Fort Sill.,The claim for increased rating of reactive airway disease remains denied.,Compensation payments for the service-connected left shoulder and low back disabilities are restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability, back disorder, and PTSD are being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a skin disability including chloracne and acne vulgaris, and a low back disability. The evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his low back disability.

The Veteran's service did not involve duty or visitation to Vietnam, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, and lumbar radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated and requires further examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.