Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to missing prison treatment records, which are needed to determine if active service caused or aggravated the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective January 1, 1998. The claim for TDIU prior to June 10, 2013, was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for right hip disability, higher depression rating, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, including DISH, scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease, is not related to his service. The examiner opined that these conditions are not caused by or secondary to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any disease, injury, exposure, or other event in service. The multilevel lumbar disc disease does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues related to service connection for a bilateral hip condition, low back condition, and an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of right knee injury with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and scar. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied as her claimed conditions did not develop during or are otherwise related to her active military service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disorder, right ankle disorder, or left ankle disorder.,Therefore, the Board finds that service connection is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for tardive dyskinesia has been granted.,Service connection for left eye twitching is also established.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation folder and assessing his employability.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the disability picture nearly resembles marked limitation of motion, warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for right ankle disorder, hemorrhoids, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and migraines are remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disorders were denied, as there was no in-service injury or current disability. The claim to reopen his bilateral knee disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a more current examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and kidney disability were denied in an April 1969 rating decision. The current appeal seeks to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.