Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his period of active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including for service connection for hip, leg, and lumbar spine disabilities as well as a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and his respiratory disorder, claimed as asbestos exposure during service, cannot be linked to service. The Board denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic neck and low back conditions, as well as his appeal regarding whether a timely Notice of Disagreement was filed with respect to a February 5, 2004 rating decision. The appeals were not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure during service. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of a chronic condition present at separation from service, and that any post-service symptoms are more likely related to his own actions rather than an injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and associated IVDS, has been rated at 60% since March 9, 2006. The condition is currently manifested by muscle spasms, absent ankle reflexes, and persistent left leg radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, osteoarthritis of the left foot and right foot, and painful scar, dorsal aspect of the left great toe have been granted increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the appellant's left shoulder disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and an upper gastrointestinal system disorder (GERD) as these conditions were first diagnosed during active duty. The lumbar spine and left hip disabilities are not considered to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's desire and the unavailability of the original VLJ who conducted the January 2012 hearing.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including psychiatric disorders, GERD, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, sinusitis, eczema, erectile dysfunction, and hip disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional development of the record.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of any of the claimed conditions, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service. The VA examinations and VHA specialist opinions do not support a finding that any of the disabilities are related to the 1969 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection on the lumbar spine arthritis was withdrawn. The Board found that there is no evidence of a left knee disability in service or within one year after separation, and thus denied service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine disability was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for low back disability. Bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to noise during active duty, while the low back disability did not have its onset in service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected dental, tinnitus, pulmonary, back, stomach, heart, psychiatric, or throat disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.