Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or one that was aggravated by service. The examiner found no medical evidence to support the Veteran's claim of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and considering whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, respiratory disorder, and low back disability are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, shoulder, lumbar spine, elbow, and carpal tunnel disabilities have been granted initial compensable ratings. The effective dates for these ratings are not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine, right knee, or left knee disability that is related to his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability with scoliosis, including associated neurologic abnormalities due to additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's neurological impairment due to arachnoiditis. The issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and an increased rating for PTSD are also pending.

The Veteran's death was ruled accidental and the service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death. The Board has granted entitlement to service-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and polycythemia vera. The appeal will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed blood disorder found.

The case is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The AOJ will then readjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar disc disease and cervical disc disease. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered in reaching a decision.

The Board has determined that a service-connected disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's death, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service and established a causal nexus between current symptomatology and the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, determined to be a direct result of the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability does not meet the numeric evaluation requirements for TDIU set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Veteran has a single service-connected disability of the lumbar spine rated at 40 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's additional periods of service in the Naval Reserves and obtaining any medical records associated with his Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar strain is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypokalemia has been withdrawn. The claims for bilateral feet, ankle, and right knee disabilities have not met the requirements for service connection as there is no credible evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied on both direct and secondary bases.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, including meibomitis and blepharitis, is found to have had its onset during active service. The Board grants the claim for service connection for this condition. For his low back disorder, a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to service.