Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board found that the appellant's low back disorder was not incurred in service and is not related to his right ankle sprain. However, the appellant's left knee arthritis has been granted service connection effective December 13, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and right wrist disability were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

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

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board finds that this evaluation is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent each for his service-connected back and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or persistent/recurrent symptoms related to his active service, and the VA examinations did not support any nexus between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The disability does not meet or more nearly approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed back disability, as it may be related to active duty service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed low back and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion from a VA examiner, is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as there are insufficient details in the current medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back and left knee disabilities do not warrant increased ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative changes, is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The right hip disability has not been diagnosed and thus cannot be granted as secondary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of all periods of active duty and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that additional development is needed for the remaining claims, including a VA examination for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as any associated service treatment records. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current status of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, and lower intestinal disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct examinations for his claimed low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The claim will be reviewed again after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new opinion on whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service or secondary to his left knee condition.