Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to work despite his lumbar spine disability and other conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of total occupational impairment due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and post herpetic neuralgia has been dismissed as he is satisfied with the current evaluations assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his combined service-connected disability rating is sufficient to meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is unemployable due to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for palindromic rheumatism have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or an increase in disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an evaluation of 10 percent or higher for his hypertension. For the other claims, the evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of verification of herbicide exposure and for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not caused by or worsened due to his service-connected disabilities, including a missing rib from surgery. The evidence does not support a finding of direct causation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and needs further evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed lumbar degenerative disc disease is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee, right ankle, left knee, or left ankle disorder and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete adjudication of a petition for CUE in the December 2001 denial of service connection, and will now consider whether new and material evidence supports reopening the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of his neck and low back disabilities, which were previously denied in February 1971 and May 1972 respectively. The claim is now reopened.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam and to obtain relevant medical records. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or stressors sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a back disability due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The case is also remanded for additional development regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The effective date of service connection for PTSD was granted on August 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to wear and tear caused by back braces and left knee braces have been denied as the Veteran is not service connected for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, characterized as low back pain with degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had chronic back disorder during service or within one year following discharge from service.