Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service. The remaining claims for service connection for left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, residuals of a left-side rib injury, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions, including headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, and umbilical hernia, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to secure medical records, arrange for examinations, and consider whether new evidence supports reopening a psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain recent VA treatment records, translate any untranslated documents, and then readjudicate the claims. The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions in connection with his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and in-patient service treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a videoconference hearing on his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 10, 2014 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder is granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective August 31, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine sprain, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not relate his current back disability to service, and the claim was denied. For the laceration scars of the upper left back, a rating prior to September 23, 2008, was denied as there was no evidence of disabling manifestations. Since then, a 10% rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it warrants a higher evaluation due to its manifestations. The claim for increased rating was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current back disability and his military service, concluding that it is more likely due to natural aging.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral allergic conjunctivitis and blepharitis, finding that the Veteran's current eye conditions had their onset in service. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, neck condition, back condition, and other eye conditions are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder with osteoporosis, concluding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing on his increased rating claim and a Board hearing on all remaining issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for increased ratings for tinea pedis and onychomycosis, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity within one year after separation from service and insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were found to have their onset during active service, and he is currently assigned a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric disability claim was broadened to include PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and depression.