Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder and back disorder are not related to his military service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant workers compensation and Social Security Administration records, as well as a supplemental VA medical opinion. The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder DJD, right elbow disability, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Veteran was found to have no worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating under DC 6100. For his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, he is currently rated at 10 percent and this rating criteria does not support an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are related to a motor vehicle accident he was involved in during ACDUTRA, leading to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The reduction of the rating for back disability from 40% to 20% is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disorders are not related to service or any incident of service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including low back and bilateral hip conditions, were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and any in-service injury or event.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not due to or the result of any incident of service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's lay reports of continuity of symptomatology since service are credible and considering his service treatment records showing treatment for a low back disability during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an incorrect medical opinion regarding the Veteran's spine disability.

The Veteran's back disability has been aggravated by his service-connected seizure disorder, warranting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C and a back disorder due to incomplete examination reports, lack of medical records, and need for further development.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, back, and headache disabilities are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not related to military service or his service-connected sarcoidosis, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 25, 2014. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and left hip pain are not related to service, and thus denied these claims. The right knee disability claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated lumbar disk and radiculopathy, as well as a claim for TDIU. The case is REMANDED to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but denied the claims for left knee and upper back disabilities. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for recurrent right foot strain is remanded.

The Board has restored a 40% disability evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective November 1, 2010.