Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,The remaining issues regarding left leg radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), and TDIU are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal of the lumbar spine disability rating is dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the current evaluation and only wishes to pursue his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has noted that additional evidence was submitted during a July 2014 Travel Board hearing and has requested its association with the electronic claims file. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and headaches, as well as his request to connect tuberculosis residuals to service, is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the provision of an addendum to his September 2014 medical opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not causally related to his active duty service, specifically the motor vehicle accident and fibula fracture. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is attributable to his active military service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for clarification on when his condition stabilized, as well as a new opinion regarding transferability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Low Back Disability. The evidence received since the most recent decisions is considered redundant or insufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral artery disease and ischemic heart disease, with a 30 percent rating assigned. Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disability and recurring bad dreams.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his active duty service, while his left shoulder and low back disabilities are not. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders, including DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, are not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and back conditions.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are granted, with the cervical spine rated at 20% effective November 18, 2013, and the thoracolumbar spine rated at 40%. The rating is based on the current functional limitations of the spinal joints.

The Veteran's mild disc bulges of the lumbosacral spine are as likely as not due to underlying low back strain. Service connection for all disc pathology of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical nexus opinions regarding his current disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims due to need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations.