Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal from the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee as secondary to his right knee condition. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are related to his in-service combat injury, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudicating the claim based on all evidence added since the November 2010 statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A VA examination of the eyes will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hemorrhoids, back condition, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica and increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of left lower extremity sciatica associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues include service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since January 11, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, but denied service connection for low back disability, right hand contusion, left knee disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a neurological disorder (other than TBI), sleep apnea, back disability, and fibromyalgia, were not incurred or aggravated by service.,Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's low back injury and left ankle condition are not service-connected.,His hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection, with no higher rating granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 27, 2010. From May 27, 2010, he was granted a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the rating for PTSD and service connection for a back disability, hypertension, prostate disability, and restless leg syndrome. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal of his petitions seeking to reopen his claims for service connection for a hip disorder and low back condition has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeals.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims for low back and bilateral knee disabilities has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.