Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right foot drop, sciatica, and sciatic sensory radiculopathy are currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 23, 2015, and 20 percent since that date. The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that his condition was not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy and lumbosacral strain has been granted, with the effective date set at March 18, 1972. The issue of an initial evaluation remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in the May 2014 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is not related to his active service and arthritis did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including scoliosis, lumbar spondylosis, lumbar myofascitis, and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is not related to service. The left shoulder disability was also found not to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's eye disorder and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative residuals of multiple inguinal hernia repairs and low back disability, including scoliosis and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by any incident in service.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2007. The claim for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn during the hearing. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease were granted with initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 19, 2015 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain prior to March 19, 2015 is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar strain, diabetes mellitus type II, right hip condition, and scars from a shell fragment wound of the right lower extremity with retained foreign body, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disc disease and right knee degenerative joint disease are rated at 40 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection, depression ratings, lumbar spine, right lower extremity neuropathy, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, but the claim for a separate left shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder remains pending.,The Veteran has submitted evidence that suggests his current disabilities may be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder and a back disorder, as well as granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also awarded service connection for right shoulder arthritis, right elbow arthritis, right hand CTS, left hand CTS, breast cancer residuals (claimed as contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune), and dental disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back strain and granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, a bilateral hand disability, and back disability. The Board found that while the Veteran had these conditions, there was no evidence to support their direct relationship with his military service.