Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder and will now consider the merits of the case. The Veteran is entitled to VA examination to determine if his current back condition is related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's DDD/DJD of the lumbar spine is service-connected, as it was manifested during active duty and is related to his in-service injury. The issues of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, CAD, and MS are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with radiculopathy and left arm numbness, and left shoulder disability are not related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic low back disability, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and paraplegia, was not caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions. The current symptoms are not linked to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including private medical opinions linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disability was also denied, with the examiner finding no current diagnosis of PTSD or other chronic acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The primary issue is whether the Veteran can establish service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which may be secondary or aggravated by his service-connected post-operative osteochondritis dissecans of the right patella.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for the residuals of his nephrectomy with partial adrenalectomy was denied as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction or decrease in kidney function.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, with no aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying service dates, and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after all available evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain is rated at 30 percent, and he has a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board finds service connection for a cervical spine disability secondary to his service-connected mechanical low back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Meniere's disease, coronary artery disease, lumbar strain, duodenal ulcer, chronic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, radiculopathy of the right leg, and residual scarring, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and pes planus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, lumbar spine disability, increased rating for Reiter's syndrome, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is not etiologically related to active service, and his claimed sinus polyps and deviated septum, bilateral arthritis of the knees, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran was granted a separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatica, which manifested as mild incomplete partial paralysis. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, but reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder. Service connection was not established for any condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for IVDS of the lumbar spine from May 21, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, including his chronic lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, is not related to his period of service.