Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, and his service-connected right pterygium residuals do not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating. The claims of service connection for right knee and right foot injuries are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during active duty or within one year after discharge.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease with facet dysfunction, is related to his service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and current severity of his lumbar spine disability. The appeal will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and affording the Veteran a VA examination to determine if his current low back disorder is related to service-connected right and left foot calluses with hallux valgus and hammertoes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, Raynaud's disease, and multiple sclerosis. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened due to new evidence but still denied as it is not related to service. Service connection for Raynaud's disease could not be established as there is no indication of the condition in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back disability and gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's TDIU claim for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and employment information. The case will be reviewed again based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting a withdrawal of this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for the low back disability was also denied, with a finding of insufficient evidence to grant an initial compensable rating prior to February 19, 2013, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by painful motion with some functional impairment comparable to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, is now rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment and personnel records, specifically those related to the appellant's Rhode Island National Guard service. The appellant is seeking service connection for a back disability.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as the merits of the claim cannot be addressed without additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated private medical records and scheduling a VA examination for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denying separate ratings for radiculopathy. The left ankle sprain was also found to have moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or undiagnosed illness during his service and that any current symptoms are not related to his military service.