Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and will review the claims based on additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral myositis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his disability does not result in actual limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, and the Board therefore dismisses the entire appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and spinal disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for dizziness was not granted as new and material evidence had not been received, while his claims of service connection for an ear disorder (tinnitus) were denied. The low back disability claim has been reopened but the grant is based on de novo review.,Service connection for a low back disability has been reopened due to the submission of additional evidence showing degenerative changes and related symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a tooth condition, low back disability, skin disability (residuals of MRSA infection), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations and to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disability was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, but new and material evidence was not found. The rating for DDD of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbosacral spine disability was not aggravated by his final period of active service and denied entitlement to service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or left leg disability in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused in part by chronic pain from his service-connected disabilities and the medications prescribed for his service-connected anxiety and depressive disorders, warranting service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, an increased rating for PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing and because of issues related to reopening previously denied claims. The case is also being returned for scheduling a new Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and dysthymia, left lower extremity disorder (chronic left ankle sprain with local superficial nerve entrapment), degenerative disk disease and/or stenosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, and right upper extremity disorder (radiculopathy) are all found to be related to her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities are less likely than not caused by a back injury during military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The claim will be returned for further development.