Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his cervical spine DDD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and address inconsistencies in the February 2015 VA examination report.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities have been granted service connection, but the initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for both conditions. The GERD claim remains in appellate status with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and back disorders are not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or continuous symptoms since service. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity has been rated at 20 percent since April 20, 2006. From July 20, 2015, his condition is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any lumbar spine disorders are related to service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is now pending before the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues due to finality of previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle disability and lumbar spine disability were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, anxiety disorder, and low back disability are all related to his service-connected right ankle condition. The skin condition is linked to his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the increased disability rating for spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the cause of his upper and lower extremity deficits, including whether they are due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will provide an opportunity for the appellant to submit additional evidence before readjudicating his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, including his in-service fall and carrying radio equipment on his back.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disorder present in service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current lumbar spine condition is not related to service, and more likely a result of work injuries.