Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms associated with his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and respiratory disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 50 percent initial rating effective December 9, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, bilateral knee disability, chloracne, high cholesterol, lumbar spine disability (Degenerative Disc Disease), hydrocephalus, and benign prostatic hypertrophy are all denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition or link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a dental disorder, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, GERD, and psychiatric disability other than one manifested by substance abuse due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran is seeking educational benefits under Chapter 30, but the RO determined he was ineligible. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain his complete service records and determine if any exceptions apply.

The Veteran's back disability, which has been rated at 10 percent since March 27, 2007, is now rated at 20 percent for the initial rating period from March 27, 2007, forward. The criteria for a 20 percent rating have been met due to limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claim due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to service, specifically his treatment in Wiesbaden.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip bursitis and bilateral knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities, were granted effective March 3, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is not properly adjudicated due to missing photographic evidence and clarification of his application. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back and knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disease or injury in service, and the current condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the knees and dermatitis were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in an August 2014 statement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service, including any injury sustained during combat in Vietnam. The VA examiner concluded that the arthritis and spondylitic changes are more likely due to generalized degenerative arthritis rather than a localized traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral foot disability remains pending.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal, finding that his character of discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions and thus barred him from VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and tinnitus do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The issues of bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability were not addressed as they are moot due to a grant of service connection in another decision.