Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the low back is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an equipment malfunction in the audio recording of his November 2014 hearing. He will be scheduled for a new video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The claim of reopening service connection for low back disorder will be addressed after scheduling the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was established as meeting the criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and PTSD. The remaining issues of right knee disorder, back disorder, and alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased rating for low back pain and strain, TDIU claim, and reopening of service connection claims. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to a fall he incurred while serving active duty in the Navy. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the previous remand. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder are being returned for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for an extraschedular evaluation for migraines and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and opinion addressing his claim for TDIU, referral of his extraschedular evaluation claim to the Director of the VA Compensation Service, and additional VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral/thoracic strain and obstructive sleep apnea are both found to be related to service, with the lumbosacral/thoracic strain being linked to an in-service IED blast and the obstructive sleep apnea first manifesting during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service or within one year of separation, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of a back, neck, or bilateral leg disability and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's back and knee conditions are currently rated based on their specific service-connected disabilities, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of his periods of federalized National Guard service and an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any ankle, knee, and back disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during service and concluded that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is not related to his military service.,VA determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right forearm gunshot wound did not worsen beyond its natural progression during active duty, and thus denied service connection for residuals of the injury.

The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the lumbar spine between L3 and L4 are currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 10, 2013. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate as it reflects severe impairment of Muscle Group XVI.