Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is denied as the Veteran's current condition is not related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as these conditions are not presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back strain and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than those currently assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities, thus the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance were not met.

The Veteran's back disorder is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability related to his service or caused by a service-connected condition, including as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including seeking a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back disability from May 9, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent and does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his schedular rating alone. The Board finds that referral to an extra-schedular evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's back and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine was denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected postoperative hemigastrectomy with dumping syndrome and pancreatitis caused his current right inguinal hernia, thus granting service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and for additional examinations, as well as issuance of a statement of the case on service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a concussion, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spondylosis, finding that these conditions are related to a fall during military service.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, which is found to be caused by the Veteran's cervical spondylosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The other issues have been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral leg conditions can be decided. The Veteran's back condition may be related to his service-connected flatfeet, but further examination is needed to determine if his leg condition (peripheral neuropathy) is secondary to his back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the nature of his service-connected conditions.