Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent since July 24, 2009. The Board found that the evidence supported a grant of TDIU benefits effective from October 3, 2013.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated his right knee DJD. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with this service connection issue and must be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing on his new and material evidence claim and obtaining VA examination opinions to address the etiology of his currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination addressing his functional impairment and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of lumbar surgery to include intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic nerve paralysis have been rated at 20 percent since February 29, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with hyperlordosis, scoliosis, and retrolisthesis is related to service. The skin disability and headaches are currently under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The August 6, 2012 rating decision granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and stenosis effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, including spondylolysis and degenerative disc disease, is granted. His bilateral hearing loss and right wrist/ring finger disabilities are not rated higher than the current levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and left knee condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with an examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the claimed conditions and determined that service connection was not warranted based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder and a back disorder, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The claim for a left wrist neurological disorder remains pending.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ankle sprain and low back disability, both of which were previously denied as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of post-extraction infection, including sialodochitis and disability of salivary gland/duct was granted. The other claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 17, 2013 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and noting that the current disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The appeal is currently in remand status due to missing records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing new VA examinations.