Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of service connection for left knee and left foot disorders are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities have therefore been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back pain with spondylolisthesis at L4-5. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar stenosis was denied as there were no claims filed between the September 2006 denial and the May 2008 claim, making May 22, 2008 the appropriate effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records. The issues of TTD evaluations following the September 2008 back surgery, service connection for shortness of breath, dizziness, and trigeminal neuralgia, and reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a heart condition are all part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability, both found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not manifest in service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU was granted, effective November 11, 1999, based on evidence of increased disability prior to the date of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, with the exception of normal hearing bilaterally. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the threshold minimum requirements of VA regulations to establish a ratable hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's chronic low back disability and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection, effective April 17, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar sprain with history of coccyx injury/fracture does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran may have additional disabilities related to his military service which need to be evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the claims of service connection for a lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability. The case will be reviewed after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also found that the Veteran is likely unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.