Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing low back disability was not aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again to determine if he is entitled to benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his Vietnam-era exposure. The low back disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. There is no evidence of a respiratory disability manifested by breathing problems during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has directed that the Veteran undergo an examination to determine if his pre-existing low back disorder was aggravated by service. The case is now remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorders did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and are not related to his period of active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his back symptoms and history.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome with bilateral spinal nerve impairment to the lower extremities and penis, are related to his inservice injuries. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and residuals of a chest contusion were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service and is not attributable to service. The medical opinion concluded it is less likely than not related to his in-service helicopter crash injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and leg disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence linking them to an in-service injury. The disability was found to be due to natural aging processes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no issues were raised for decision.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The loss of sense of taste and smell are also claimed as secondary to his service-connected mandible fracture residuals or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. His claim is based on his combat experience in Vietnam.,The Veteran claims a loss of sense of taste and smell that he believes is related to his service-connected right ramus and mandible fracture or due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder, left ankle, right ankle, hypertension, bilateral foot plantar fasciitis with left first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder all had their respective initial rating evaluations determined to be inadequate.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected cervical stenosis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection, and his left ankle swelling was granted a 40% rating effective January 1, 2007. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy are rated at 60 percent, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with musculoskeletal strain of the lumbosacral spine, and musculoskeletal strain of the cervical spine with degenerative changes are still pending.