Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for myofascial lumbar syndrome, finding that no new evidence was submitted to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations. Service connection may be granted if a disability existed at the time of filing or during service, even if it resolves prior to adjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder that was incurred in or otherwise related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service and granted. The issue of an increased evaluation for lumbar strain is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis at L4-L5 and L5-S1, spurring at L3, and narrowing L4-L5 disc space has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for his low back condition, right knee condition, and right elbow condition. The VA examiners have provided opinions supporting these claims based on the Veteran's military occupation as a cook.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to service and has granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that his current right hip and low back disorders are secondary to his right knee disability, thus granting service connection for these conditions as well.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's hearing loss disability and an appropriate VA examination to determine whether any low back disorder found is related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and is considering whether new evidence supports reopening of the cardiovascular disorder claim. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand is also under consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his back, right hip, and left hip disabilities. This includes providing corrective notice regarding secondary service connection, obtaining VA treatment records from February 2014 to present, and obtaining a supplemental medical opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back pain with degenerative disc disease is related to his service, including an in-service car accident. The examiner must provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms and hypogonadism are not service-connected due to lack of a causal link. However, the lumbar spine disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the September 2008 rating decision denying service connection for a lumbar spine disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The claim is reopened, but further development on the merits is required as the Veteran seeks to establish service connection for his back disability.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck injury and lumbar spine pain, finding that there was no new and material evidence provided to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing due to an undeliverable notice of his requested hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding medical records. The claims on appeal are seeking higher disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's current back symptoms are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes. The low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities were found to be unrelated to service.