Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also granted for a back disability, but the Board found that it is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a video-teleconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as arthritis and myofascial lumbar syndrome, is found to be related to active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and remanded the increased rating claim for keratitis. The low back disorder claim is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's back condition is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his disability. The appeal will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for a thoracolumbar disability cannot be granted as there is no competent or credible medical evidence linking her current condition to service. The August 2010 VA examination report, which considered all available evidence and provided a clear rationale, concluded that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is related to any injuries she had in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it as secondary to his service-connected ankle and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The Board found that hypertension was established during active duty, but no current right ankle or back disability has been shown to be related to service. Right knee disorder is not supported by evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying active duty periods. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective May 9, 2011. A separate noncompensable rating for left leg sciatica neuropathy remains in effect.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 10 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, and his left shoulder disability is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are considered to be service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of updated medical records. The issues of increased evaluation for lumbar spine disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 1, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, knees, and wrists, and his left shoulder, as well as his disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine with stenosis are attributable to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's urinary and fecal incontinence is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected spine disabilities.