Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide updated examinations for her asthma, left knee, and lumbar spine conditions. Her claim for a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the right knee disability claim, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and left foot disabilities are not related to her active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism is incurred during service, as evidenced by his imprisonment in service. The evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Roanoke, Virginia. The issues of service connection and evaluation remain unresolved.

The Veteran's low back disability may be related to service, but the VA examiners did not consider his lay statements about onset and continuity of symptoms. The case is being remanded for a new examination and review of additional evidence.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor had its onset during service and has recurred since then. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lumbar strain or any other low back disability, but his tinea pedis did not manifest during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral leg disorder, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at July 23, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not etiologically related to active service, including as a result of in-service noise exposure. The weight of the competent and credible evidence does not support a finding of relationship between the Veteran's current tinnitus and service.

Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension. The low back disability claim is pending as new evidence has reopened the claim.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes and hypertension are service-connected.

The Veteran claims service connection for a low back disorder, which he asserts was caused by lifting a jackhammer during active duty. The case is being remanded to obtain medical opinions and potentially arrange for VA examinations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, nor did any such disability hasten his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, left knee DJD with strain, and bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the reduction in disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, but did not find evidence of a worsening condition or new evidence warranting reopening of his claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left leg disorder, to include as secondary to a low back disability. New evidence received since the December 2010 rating decision raises reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,VA is seeking to obtain additional records from the Veteran's Army Reserve service and VA medical records.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disorder to his military service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.