Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection for decreased libido associated with hairy-cell leukemia was granted effective September 8, 2014. The issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to an in-service injury and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence has been received to support these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, elbow, and back disabilities. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between any present condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and posterior trunk scar were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and increased the ratings for arthritis of both knees to 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is caused by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, or if it was permanently worsened beyond normal progression due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee bursitis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine with spondylolisthesis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis and degenerative disc disease from L3 through L5, of the lumbar spine, with grade 1 retrolisthesis of L5-S1, are related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left leg radiculopathy have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation since July 21, 2009. The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy has also been evaluated separately.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected, but his right hand neuropathy is secondary to a service-connected elbow disability. The rating for the flexion of the right elbow has been granted at 50%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, schedule a VA examination for his left lower extremity sciatica, and determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU issue will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and leg cramps were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.,For the lumbar strain, left knee disability, and hernia with GERD issues, the Veteran was granted initial ratings but not higher than 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coccyx disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of secondary service connection for lumbar spine disability to include as secondary to a right knee disability remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 that are pending before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for secondary service connection based on his bilateral knee disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and a skull fracture, were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened based on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disorder and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.