Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, thus denying both secondary service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or a presumption of service connection.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his military service, including as related to his service-connected right ankle and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected DDD with lumbar strain and bilateral radiculopathy do not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service personnel records and further verification of the appellant's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee and low back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not due to injury or disease incurred in active service, or due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records related to his workers' compensation claim and private treatment records from the 2001 motor vehicle accident. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headaches, and a head injury are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain was granted, with a 40% evaluation effective from January 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his Vietnam service and has been diagnosed with PTSD based on service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee and back disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining unit records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's back, knee, and psychiatric claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and hearing loss disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but only as a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disabilities, including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee and foot condition, depression, asthma, food poisoning, a gunshot wound to the left leg due to the right hand as secondary to bilateral hand condition, anxiety, a bilateral arm condition, a bilateral leg condition, a bilateral hand condition, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, urinary retention, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal in the matter of service connection for liver melanoma is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence and additional development.

The Board has found that there are missing components necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's appeals, including a Statement of the Case (SOC) and VA Form 9. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for elevated liver enzymes, left ankle sprain (claimed as left ankle fracture), bilateral knee pain, and low back pain. However, the RO found no chronic residual disability related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective April 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from U.S.S. Forrestal and VA treatment records, as well as identifying medical opinions provided by two physicians.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are denied.