Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a neck disability, a back disability, fibromyalgia, and a disorder manifested by chest pain are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address the newly submitted evidence. The right knee disability is inextricably intertwined with the left knee and low back disabilities, so all three conditions will be addressed together.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including plantar warts and pes planus, is service-connected. However, there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to support a finding of in-service aggravation for these conditions. For his back disorder, the Board finds insufficient medical or credible lay evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease that led to current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings for various joint disabilities, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has ordered additional development to address these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar back pain with scoliosis due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The current rating of 60 percent is deemed appropriate based on the criteria set forth in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's low back disabilities, diagnosed as a lumbosacral spine strain and lumbosacral spine sprain, were incurred in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disabilities did not manifest during active military service and are not related to a disease, injury, or event during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that the current 20% rating adequately reflects his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current level of bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria to qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and lumbar degenerative disc disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder remains on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including presbyopia and COPD, were not shown to be related to service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider the merits of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his low back disability has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision.