Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine condition was not aggravated by military service and did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and preparing an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for skin disability, right hip disability, and back disability due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his abnormal mitral valve with congested heart failure and multiple knee injuries, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 26, 2013. Since then, he has been in receipt of special monthly compensation (SMC) due to aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current headache disability and whether it is related to his service-connected back disability or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurologic abnormalities was not adjudicated. The Board denied the initial compensable rating and 10 percent thereafter ratings for his lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was previously rated at 20 percent prior to February 23, 2010. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and current disabilities are not causally related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a neck disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic disorders in service or for many years thereafter. The evidence showed no onset of symptoms until after service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of high cholesterol, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased ratings for foot disabilities and entitlement to additional compensation benefits for dependent sons.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and arthritis of the bilateral hips. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, and the Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active duty service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder and left knee disorder, as these conditions were noted upon entrance into the Veteran's period of active duty service and further developed during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is pending.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury and sleep disorder (insomnia) as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds that the evidence raises a reasonable possibility of establishing the claim, as it indicates that the Veteran's (variously diagnosed) lumbar spine disability may be related to service. The Veteran also received an additional 10 percent rating for left knee instability from April 24, 2012 through March 25, 2013.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings on all three issues: irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disability, and allergic rhinitis. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.