Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and is granting in full the benefit sought on appeal with respect to entitlement to service connection for a lung disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine is found to be related to active military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder and a right foot disorder, but denied these claims on the merits.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show hearing loss disability under VA criteria.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD diagnosed at any time, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that a low back disability had its onset in active service or is otherwise related to active service.,Regarding her claimed acquired mental disorder (claimed as emotional condition) other than PTSD, including depression, there was no diagnosis provided by VA medical records.

Your appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference or Travel Board hearing at your local RO. The case will be processed accordingly.

The Board has found that the Veteran's symptoms of degenerative disc disease and facet osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been continuous since service separation, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and to schedule a VA examination for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The issue of TDIU will also be developed.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for prostate disability has been withdrawn. The Board denied the extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence following lumbar spine surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions of lumbar degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, mild scoliosis, and arthritis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The appeal was denied as there was no causal relationship between his current low back disorder and active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder, service connection for back disability, hypertension secondary to service-connected dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder secondary to service-connected dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder. The Board found no direct service connection for any of these conditions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-operative residuals of a fractured right distal tibia and fibula, lumbar DDD, patellofemoral arthritis of the right knee, residual scar on the right ankle, and osteoarthritis of the right foot, have been found to be so disabling as to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a spine examination to assess his cervical and lumbar spondylosis. An addendum opinion on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will also be obtained.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating. The Veteran’s range of motion and symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DJD and denied service connection for HIV and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim (lumbar spine DJD) and denies two claims (HIV and psychiatric disorder).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and seeking VA medical opinions to address the etiology of various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his previously denied claim of a cardiovascular disability. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has decided to grant service connection for a lumbar spine disability, making the Veteran eligible for compensation and other benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of otitis media, left ear; back disability; or ankle disability. The claims for these conditions were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to address service connection claims for ear disorder, low back disorder, hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The appellant's assertions of incurring injuries during ACDUTRA are considered credible.