Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, cervical spine disability, hepatitis, left knee disability and back disability. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Veteran's lichen planus is found to be service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for right knee disability, eye disability, and back disability remains pending as the issue was not fully developed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected lumbar spine disability and any current knee disabilities. The earlier effective date claim will be adjudicated separately.

The Veteran's low back disorder, including as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability, has been granted service connection. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher ratings in several of his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, lumbar disc disease with narrowing at L5-S1, left knee arthritis with total knee arthroplasty, and right knee arthritis. The Board is dismissing these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and back and knee conditions, require regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and perform daily activities with coordination issues.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including a lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, hernia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, left leg sciatic nerve damage, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hemorrhoids. VA treatment records document current treatment for this condition. He also testified about having bloody stools in service. No opinion was provided regarding the relationship between his hemorrhoids and military service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a hernia. VA treatment records document current treatment for this condition. He also testified about experiencing symptoms related to hemorrhoids such as bloody stools since discharge from service. No opinion was provided regarding the relationship between his hernia and military service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.,The Veteran seeks service connection for left leg sciatic nerve damage, which he contends is related to his lumbar spine disability. No opinion was provided regarding the relationship between his left leg sciatic nerve damage and military service or his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran seeks a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. VA treatment records document current treatment for this condition. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.,The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. No opinion was provided regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for lumbar spine fusion, arthritis of the lumbar and cervical. The Board also found that he is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including hospitalization records and VA treatment records. The AOJ will readjudicate these issues with consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD has resulted in exercise tolerance limited to approximately 3 METs, resulting in angina since at least December 2, 2015. A 60 percent rating is granted for CAD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine arthritis with left leg numbness and left knee arthritis conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial compensable ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the remaining claims due to lack of appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service. The case will be remanded for a VA examination of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. His TDIU claim is also being remanded as there are outstanding VA records and further medical evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide further examinations. The issues include a low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, and lung disorders.