Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his military service. The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 70 percent, effective from November 22, 2013. The left leg disability and back disability are both evaluated based on their respective service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, right lower leg was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. The claims for increased ratings for the lumbar spine and prostatitis are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and any claims documents related to hypertension submitted in 1982 or 1983. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including his post-service treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and neurological symptoms in the right lower extremity were denied as there is no evidence of more than a 10 percent disability rating being warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining records from a hospitalization in 1995 and any relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability will be examined by an orthopedic surgeon to determine if it was present during service or is related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disorders, requiring further examination and review.

An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not warranted.,For radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for his right shoulder, left shoulder, and low back disabilities are on appeal.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury or event, and thus grants service connection for a low back strain.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service and granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and bilateral pes planus; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect correspondence addresses, and requests that all relevant records be obtained. The Veteran's psychiatric, respiratory, skin, and joint conditions are being evaluated for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his in-service injury and did not find any aggravation of a pre-existing condition during periods of service. Therefore, service connection for this disability was denied.