Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to his service and grants this claim.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back or knee disability in service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was consistently manifested by Level I hearing loss in both ears, and his lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. As such, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted, and a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for a degenerative joint disease and strain of the lumbar spine. The dental claim remains pending as additional records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining treatment records from Ruleville Century Hospital and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service, including a jeep accident therein. The current condition was diagnosed approximately 38 years after discharge from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing records, including SSA and VA vocational rehabilitation records. The Veteran's right knee disorder case will also be remanded for a supplemental opinion from the December 2009 examiner.

The Veteran's back disability was found to not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent. The VA examinations did not show favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, or a back disability related to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right knee injury are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of service treatment records and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's spine disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial disability evaluations in excess of 50 percent for a right upper extremity neurological disability and an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty. The low back disorder claim remains pending as a new examination and opinion are required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are denied as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability is granted, while the claim for left fifth finger disability remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and herniated disc of the lumbar spine, along with associated radiculitis and sciatica of both legs, are rated at 40% since February 8, 2006. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the etiology of any current back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.