Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to a lack of consideration of his lay statements and an inaccurate factual basis in the July 2015 VA examiner's opinion. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were granted increased ratings, while service connection for peripheral neuropathy was established. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating since November 25, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for increased rating of right knee disability and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and allergic rhinitis are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus having its onset in service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for these conditions during his active duty. A VA examination report concluded that the current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service injuries and not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a head injury to include concussion and cerebellar/spinocerebellar degeneration, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine (claimed as neck/spine injury), and lower back/thoracolumbar spine injury.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip degenerative disease and bilateral knee arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is also granted a rating of 10 percent for his lumbar strain.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical DDD, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and verify the Veteran's dates of active duty, as well as VA medical records. The claims will be readjudicated after this information is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations related to her left knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The current ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's low back disability is not shown to have had its onset in service or to otherwise be the result of service. The Board finds no basis for the Veteran's claim of service connection of low back pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, left medial metatarsal DJD, and sinusitis. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability is not related to active service and denied his claim for service connection. The Veteran's hearing loss was also evaluated, but no compensable rating was granted.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his back disability, depression, hallux valgus, and TDIU claims. The Veteran should also be provided VCAA notice as to secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right wrist disability. The claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, mild degenerative facet joints with chronic low back strain, and bilateral knee strain are pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all listed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric and spine examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for back disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether COPD is related to his active duty service, but did not find new and material evidence in support of reopening a claim for bilateral hearing loss.