Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is etiologically related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Lumbar Spine Disorder, hearing loss in his left ear, and CAD. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found to be adequately addressed by the current schedular evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy is granted, effective June 16, 2009. The reduction from a 10% to zero percent rating for residuals of lipoma removal from the left posterior upper back is also granted, effective October 1, 2010. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of his lumbar degenerative disc disease, hemorrhoids, and GERD have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the available schedular ratings adequately described the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to further development being needed, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was increased to a 60 percent rating effective July 26, 2013. He is also granted service connection for essential hypertension.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders, including osteoporosis and multilevel degenerative disc disease (DDD), are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disorders were not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including ratings for various disabilities and the effective dates of service connection. The case is being remanded due to a need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral eye disability, and dental disorder. The Board found no evidence of these conditions being incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records. The issues of increased ratings for his service-connected right below knee amputation and back disability are addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar stenosis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and a skin disorder is being remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine have been productive of symptoms continuously since service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed back disability or bilateral ankle disability, and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for additional development of the Veteran's medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for a back disorder before a final decision was made by the Board.