Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a low back disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sickle cell anemia, a left shoulder disability, a low back disability, and a skin disorder. The conditions are found to be secondary to the Veteran's preexisting sickle cell disease.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to issues involving a higher rating for lumbar degenerative joint disease and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's lumbar disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but there are no indications of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral shoulder disability, leg cramps, and lumbar degenerative spondylosis. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for left sacroiliac joint dysfunction with mechanical low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied in March 2008, and the appeal is pending. The issue of reopening this claim has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder (PTSD and manic depression) remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability improved and he is now rated at a lower level, while his left lower extremity disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain Social Security Administration records and other issues.

The Veteran's compression fracture, L1 vertebra, with chronic lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent. The claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2015, and the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. After March 12, 2015, his condition warranted a rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have consistently precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since February 2000, with the exception of a brief period in June 2010 to May 2012 when he was employed.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent prior to September 14, 2013 and increased to 20 percent since that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of the March 2015 VA examination, and an additional remand is necessary for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and thoracic spine spondylosis. The issue of service connection for hepatitis C is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical evidence and an incomplete record. The Veteran's low back pain is being reviewed again, but it was found less likely than not incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition and that any current disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to have its onset during active service and granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disability during his active duty service or within one year of discharge, and there is no competent evidence linking any current low back disability to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and headache disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.