Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The maximum schedular rating (10%) is assigned for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and examinations, including an examination regarding the lumbar spine disorder and residuals of a pilonidal cyst repair.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of DDD of the cervical spine at C5-6 and mechanical low back pain, concluding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in the current examination reports and additional development is required.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right or left hip disability due to his service-connected low back disability. The evidence shows no current diagnosis of hip disabilities, and the VA examination did not find any radiculopathy in either lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Dr. A.G.S. prior to 2004, scheduling an ear examination, and providing the Veteran with another opportunity to respond.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing at the RO. The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and bilateral leg/hip disorders are pending.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The VA examiners' opinions were considered, and they did not find a causal relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and his current low back condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension. The decision also dismissed his claim for an increased rating for right knee instability.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or left shoulder disability during service and concluded that any current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current back disability is related to her in-service injury during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran does not have a current low back disability and the evidence does not support service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is also denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The appellant is entitled to a higher initial evaluation of 20 percent for C6-7 radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and musculocutaneous neuropathy of the right upper extremity, prior to July 12, 2012.,The appellant is also entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claims, including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities.