Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and low back strain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorders are not caused or aggravated by an injury sustained during INACDUTRA, and thus denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The claim for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any event in service associated with the lower back. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, as new and material evidence has been received. The claim will be further evaluated on its merits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his lumbosacral back strain and adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a foot, and the motorized wheelchair used by the Veteran does not cause wear or tear on her clothing. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's knee and back disabilities do not qualify for a clothing allowance as the braces did not tend to wear or tear her clothing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine did not have its onset during service and is less likely than not caused by an in-service event, injury, or illness. The initial rating for status post right ankle surgery with strain was upheld.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability with left leg radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his request for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder myositis prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depression have been granted. The claim for service connection on the merits has also been reopened.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is therefore REMANDED to schedule the Veteran for a DRO hearing, obtain German medical records, and provide him with an additional VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a headache, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's hemorrhoids. The rating assigned is 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for urinary incontinence has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurologic disability manifested by vision problems and a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The appeal will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.