Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for neck strain, lumbar spine strain, PTSD, and bilateral vision loss. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence secondary to residuals of left bronchogenic cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected, but his lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine and back disabilities were not incurred in service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was granted. For the period prior to June 10, 2010, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disease with L4-L5 disc protrusion and radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent disabling; from June 10, 2010, it is rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his in-service injury. The VA examiners' opinions were considered more credible than Dr. K.'s opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CMI was denied at the time of his death, and thus is not granted.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the low back disability claim. Given this new evidence, the Board finds that there is sufficient information to grant service connection for a chronic low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of any current back disorder. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after the additional development is completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment effective June 26, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 14, 2012. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic low back disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen service connection for hypertension, left Achilles tendon disorder, right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and low back disorder. The claims are now pending on their merits.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, as well as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's eye disorder and right thumb disorder claims are pending and require further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran was provided with a VA examination to assess the current severity of her left knee disability.,VA is required to obtain all relevant treatment records from VA and any identified private providers.

The Veteran's service-connected status post lumbar strain with degenerative changes is rated at 10 percent, reflecting his current range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was withdrawn. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board found that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining age 18, and thus denied his claim for DIC benefits based on permanent incapacity for self-support.