Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence suggesting a relationship to service. The low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities were also not related to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and Group B streptococcus infection are not determined to be proximately due to the September 2008 colonoscopy performed at VAMC Columbia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for chronic body pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 and whether his current joint and muscle disabilities are related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent due to painful, limited motion.,The Veteran's fungal infection affecting his groin and axillae (armpits) is rated at 10 percent prior to June 9, 2009. Since then, the rating has been increased to 10 percent for areas affected by the fungus.,The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating for his fungal infection since June 9, 2009.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease resulted in forward flexion limited to at most 15 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to his in-service low back injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, osteomyelitis, and associated radiculopathy have been rated at the highest possible level throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, a dental condition, a kidney disability, a right arm disability, and a low back disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension, finding that his diabetes did not require regulation of activities as contemplated by the applicable rating criteria. The low back disability was granted but with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorder. The new evidence does not establish a direct relationship to service or any service-connected disabilities. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was reopened and granted. The low back disability issue is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for her lumbar spine disability and depressive disorder, as well as to issue an SOC regarding the service connection claim. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of a back disability, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability claim is moot due to the denial of TDIU. Basic eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.