Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the right hip, both claimed as secondary to a right foot injury. The Board has remanded this case due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nail fungus of the hands and feet, as well as his back disorder, are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records.

The case is being remanded for additional development including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain, also claimed as back problems. The examiner will need to consider the November 1969 diagnosis and the Veteran's lay description of continuous symptoms dating from his period of service.

The Veteran's IBS, HH, and GERD are currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome. The criteria for a higher rating (60%) require symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health. None of these symptoms have been shown.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101. The criteria for a higher rating (20%) require diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. None of these conditions have been shown.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to missing service treatment records and a need for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after all available evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability were denied, while the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral pinguecula was granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including arthritis and malignant paraganglioma tumor of the sacrum. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether he currently experiences radicular pain. The Veteran needs a neurological examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.,Regarding the right upper extremity disorder (claimed as shoulder condition), the claim is pending and will require further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability and hypertension was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his service-connected conditions and any bilateral leg disability.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least one year immediately preceding his death. However, the appellant did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus by way of aggravation, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of a current left shoulder disability, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The right shoulder and left hip claims are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain private medical records from Dr. RV at UPHS and any outstanding, pertinent VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disorder and left leg pain and numbness, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia, low back strain, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his service connection claim.