Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to September 2, 2015, and his tension headaches are rated at 50 percent. These ratings meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, Barrett's esophagus disorder, gastritis, and back disorder are not service-connected. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of GERD which may be related to his in-service exposure to Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc disease is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to any current disability. The claims for higher ratings for asthma, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment, left lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment, and bilateral foot sprain are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disorder was reopened and denied in January 2007. The claim was reopened again on June 16, 2010 with the submission of new evidence showing degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was granted with a 10% evaluation effective March 12, 2013. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a fractured jaw, including limitation of jaw function (other than residuals of fracture of left zygomatic arch; with a patch of hypesthesia on the left cheek) was granted. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations on multiple service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and he is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraines, low back, and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is likely related to active service. The issue of service connection for pes planus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the low back disorder is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore denied all claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for various conditions, reopening of claims, and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left hip disabilities are not related to his active service, including a reported fall and lumbar puncture during service. The claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, back disorder, plantar wart of the right foot, hypertension, heart disorder, and tinnitus due to a finding that the character of discharge barred VA benefits. The remaining issues are being remanded.