Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition was aggravated by his service-connected right knee condition, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back injury is not considered to be caused by VA treatment, and therefore compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a low back injury has been denied.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current wrist, knee, and low back disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and there is no evidence of arthritis within one year following discharge. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected seizure disorder.,The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's arthritis is a natural progression of aging rather than related to his use of Tegretol for his seizures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, with no evidence of onset during active service or within one year post-service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to a special home adaptation grant, and entitlement to specially adapted housing. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 10, 2015. From that date forward, the rating has been found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine syringomyelia. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran requested a video conference hearing but withdrew his request. The Board has recharacterized the claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine more broadly to a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran indicated through his representative that he wanted to withdraw the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current state of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and need for a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The VA audiological examination indicated that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was also denied for type II diabetes mellitus as there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a current back condition that he contends is related to his military service. The Board has determined that another VA examination is needed in order to address the Veteran's contentions and obtain additional records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's advanced degenerative conditions and pathology in his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine were caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his back disability rating to 20 percent effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran was not granted any other benefits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including residuals of a lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, was not found to warrant a higher rating prior to October 30, 2013. From that date onward, the disability did not meet criteria for a higher than 20% rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and associating all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine disability was granted and he is now receiving a 20 percent evaluation, effective from August 17, 2007.