Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service, including combat duty as a pilot. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, effective from May 20, 2008. The Veteran's back disability was found to have increased in severity since the previous evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for multilevel spondylosis of the lumbar spine with degenerative changes, finding that it did not result from military service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbar spine disorder and recurrent skin disorders, including tinea of the hands, groin, and feet and rosacea. Service connection for a post-operative right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 21, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports and need for further development.

The Veteran's current back disorder, specifically lumbar spine DDD, is related to an in-service assault injury. The Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and low back disorders are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including parachute jumps during active duty. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current thoracic spine disability, diagnosed as thoracic spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, is not related to service. The evidence does not show a thoracic spine injury or disease during service, nor do chronic symptoms of arthritis since service separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his psychiatric disability (PTSD), hypertension, and service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities. The decision also addressed a claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 9, 2014, but did not address the specific claim for TDIU solely due to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) in January 1985 and May 1997. The current appeal seeks to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that a new TBI examination is necessary to clarify whether the Veteran has residuals of his inservice head trauma and, if so, what such residuals are. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and completion of a formal application for TDIU. The issues on appeal are an initial rating for low back disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a low back disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his active service, while his current low back disorder is likely due to the normal process of aging and his reported injury in service.

The Veteran does not have a current disability to include TMJ, nasal, or right wrist disorders related to service. The Board finds that VA has fulfilled the duties to notify and assist in this case.,VA has also found no evidence of current lumbar spine or cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeals from the Veteran, thus dismissing the cases.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed due to noise exposure during service, while his current respiratory conditions are linked to in-service symptoms of shortness of breath.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant. As a result, no further action will be taken on this case.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine condition is also granted.