Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain (secure) or maintain (follow) substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities for any period.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, and the low back disability is found to be secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Both issues have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish clear and unmistakable aggravation of pre-existing lumbar spine condition during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including a left hip disability and related issues. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis.

The Board found that degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected peripheral vascular disease (PVD) of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, but he is not entitled to higher ratings or a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his low back disability is pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee, ankle disabilities, dental trauma to teeth #6, #7, #8, and #9 have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica (RLE) and insomnia disorder with chronic pain.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether it had its onset during service. The lumbar spine disorder with associated radiculopathy claim must be remanded due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his low back disorder, erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is found to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event that occurred during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The issues on appeal were whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of residuals of head trauma, and the entitlement to service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a respiratory disability, headaches, and low back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or direct service connection. The Board acknowledges the Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to environmental hazards during his military service but finds that such exposures do not support service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as she is no longer alive.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for anxiety disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to additional clinical information being associated with the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and providing the Veteran with updated medical authorization forms. The claim will be reconsidered based on all received evidence.