Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to November 17, 2014. From that date, the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had a low back disorder incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and/or COPD, was not due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and the appropriate medical opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling, effective from May 31, 2011. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities was granted.

The Board denied service connection for back, left shoulder, and left lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing onset in or causation by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a sleep disorder to include as secondary to a service connected disability.

The Veteran has been found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and degenerative disc disease, with the effective date being May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease was rated at 10 percent prior to March 17, 2014 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for a chronic lumbar strain with anterior spondylolisthesis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with a bulging disc have been rated appropriately, and he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 40 percent since the rating period on appeal, which is higher than what was initially granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year after service discharge. The Board also found that the weight of the evidence did not support a finding that these disorders are related to her military service.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's current low back disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not caused or aggravated by active service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether there is a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of the right knee disorder and granted it. The remaining claims, including those on the merits, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, but does not find these conditions are directly related to his military service.