Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for OSA, gout, or DDD of the cervical spine. However, the Veteran was granted an increased rating for radiculopathy affecting the right hand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for asthma and hemorrhagic follicular cyst, as well as her claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, low back condition, bilateral leg/foot condition, residuals of a left elbow injury, and chest condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions or injuries during service that could be linked to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for additional development to determine its etiology and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for a service-connected low back disability and a service-connected right knee disability are remanded for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease. This includes obtaining private treatment records and VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for multilevel DDD of the lumbar spine with a 40 percent rating effective August 11, 2011. The Veteran's right foot numbness was found to be analogous to radiculopathy and rated accordingly.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc and joint disease status post decompression surgery with residual scar, prior to April 27, 2012, and beginning April 27, 2012.

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

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or any other service-connected condition that would support a grant of service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The Veteran was denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic headaches, recurrent lumbar strain, sciatica of both lower extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by neck pain, left knee pain, right hip pain, or low back pain that had an onset in service or is otherwise related to service. As such, his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now being considered on the merits. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for a bilateral heel disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome as a result of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) was granted. The claims for increased rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease was rated appropriately at 20 percent. The issues of cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities were also denied.