Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorders.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The medical evidence did not support a link between Agent Orange exposure and the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain did not have its onset in active military service, arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and chronic lumbosacral strain has not otherwise been shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, neck, bilateral foot, bilateral hip, and arthritis of hands disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show a current disability or indicate that any current disability is related to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise to the extent that the benefit of the doubt may be resolved in the Veteran's favor, and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as aggravated by service-connected right ankle disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar stenosis was reopened and denied. His claim for increased rating of tinea pedis and onychomycosis was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was granted, and service connection for leishmaniasis of the ears was established. The reduction in rating from 40 to 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being restored.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is related to active military service. The issue of service connection for ventral hernia remains pending and will be remanded.

The case is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining verification of his periods of Reserve and National Guard duty service.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability as of March 16, 2011. The rating assigned is appropriate based on the findings from the VA examination conducted in March 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disability, right wrist disability, and/or disability manifested by burns on the bilateral arms and chest. The Veteran's claims are REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as further consideration of his TDIU claim in conjunction with his PTSD rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, depression, and migraine headaches are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability and thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service injury or connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbar spondylosis, service connection for bilateral knee disability, and service connection for tinea pedis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, and the evidence now shows a current diagnosis of schizophrenia. The Board finds that this condition is related to service.,Service connection has been granted for a low back disorder, as the August 2010 VA examination report indicates a current lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 with onset in-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and left leg disability did not have their onset in service or within one year of service discharge, and are not shown to be etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.