Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which he claims was incurred during his period of active duty. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and possible outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability may be related to service, but his left knee disability requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and an updated VA examination to reflect current symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees is found to be etiologically related to active service. The Board finds that new VA examinations are necessary to determine if his low back strain, cervical and neck strain, and bilateral ankle strains are etiologically related to active service or secondary to his now service-connected bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection with a rating of 40 percent, effective August 11, 2010. Service connection for left foot drop has not been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo is not related to her service-connected disabilities and has granted a TDIU based on her multiple service-connected conditions preventing her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected dextroscoliosis of the thoracic spine is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's menstrual disability and low back disability are found to be related to her active duty service. The left knee disability is rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and Achilles tendonitis is also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses for a low back disability, left hip disability, or bilateral knee disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is granted because his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease requires the use of a back brace, which causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a fatigue disability due to her major depressive disorder with PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection.,Service connection was also granted for actinic keratosis, but the issue of whether it is related to service remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are related to his service, specifically his periods of INACDUTRA from January 2010 to September 2010, and ACDUTRA from March 7, 2011, to March 19, 2011. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, and low back disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence, as all submitted evidence was either cumulative or redundant.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine is being remanded due to a previous inadequate VA examination. The case will be processed again with an appropriate VA examination.

The Board does not have jurisdiction over the issue of service connection for a right leg disorder secondary to service-connected ddd of the lumbar spine. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right hand, headache, or lumbar spine disability and finds the preponderance of the evidence against service connection for these conditions.