Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and low back disabilities are service-connected, with no issues remaining for appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's credible assertions regarding his in-service injuries and current symptoms.

The Veteran is entitled to financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as well as a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of both feet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her service treatment records, specifically from the Oakland Naval Regional Medical Center and Tripler Army Hospital. The AOJ will conduct a thorough search for these records and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current DDD and DJD of lumbosacral spine with HNP at L5-S1 and disc bulge at L4-L5 is related to his service-connected left leg disability, thus granting service connection for a back disability.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's varicose veins to his active duty service or any other factor. The Board denies service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided with comprehensive VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed low back and migraine headache disabilities. The claims will be re-adjudicated following this development.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. His left knee disability, characterized by limitation of flexion and painful motion, warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are service-connected as they were incurred during his active military service.,The VA examiner provided multiple addendums to the November 2012 examination, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of DDD of the low back and osteoarthritis of the neck are not related to his in-service activities.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed back, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities did not have onset during active service or within one year of service discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle, back, headaches, and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The right hip disability was also denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or malunion.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate medical examination and need for further development regarding service connection claims for back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain and lumbar disc disease with degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.