Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left inguinal hernia or low back disorder, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including verification of service and issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent effective as of March 27, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disorder, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, or low back degenerative changes that are related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, thoracic spine scoliosis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or pre-existing conditions being aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and procuring an addendum opinion from a VA physician to address whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and/or left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to an inextricably intertwined matter of the Veteran's entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and any additional evidence pertinent to the TDIU claim, and then readjudicate the case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a low back disability with associated sciatica, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination and because he provided good cause for missing the appointment. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the spondylisthesis claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating were denied due to his failure, without good cause, to report for scheduled VA examinations.

Service connection for a low back condition has been granted, and the Veteran is entitled to a higher initial rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was denied due to lack of hearing loss for VA purposes. He is seeking an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a supplemental VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability had its onset in service and continues to this day, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues, with the exception of her initial disability rating for left knee tibial plateau fracture and DJD. The other claims were not addressed due to lack of substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following his June 2012 surgery is denied because the surgery was performed for a non-service-connected condition (a sacral meningeal cyst) and not to treat his service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he has been gainfully employed throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. For his calluses of the left foot, he is currently receiving the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.