Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation was at least 70% prior to July 28, 2015. The evidence does not show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed, including obtaining deck logs for the USS Thomaston in March 1975.

The Veteran's headaches and fatigue/sleep disturbance are found to be secondary to an undiagnosed illness, while the right knee condition is granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied. The RO continued the initial 20 percent rating assigned in December 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include a neoplasm of the lumbar spine, has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection is denied for hyperostosis (excessive growth of the bone).,Service connection is denied for osteoporosis (to include osteopenia).,Service connection is denied for right hip disability, to include a neoplasm and/or trochanteric bursitis.,Service connection is denied for limitation of motion of the right leg (also claimed as osteoarthritis of right knee).,Service connection is denied for viral syndrome, to include chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection is denied for polyarthralgia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Voc-Rehab records and an examination to assess his occupational impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is manifested by epigastric pain, dysphagia, and pyrosis productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, or hypertension that was incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for vision disorder is denied as it did not develop during service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his low back disorder and scar, as well as the need for additional VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and social worker evaluation to determine service connection for a low back disorder and competency to handle VA funds.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities and service connection for tinnitus are also being addressed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated as 20 percent prior to September 22, 2009 and increased to 40 percent effective May 16, 2011.,Prior to September 22, 2009, the evidence did not more nearly approximate forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not being scheduled for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is now pending and will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches have been granted service connection, with the cervical spine disability being related to multiple airborne jumps during active duty.,Headaches are secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.