Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and is granting it, finding that new and material evidence has been received to support this claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board has directed that the Veteran's file be returned to the VA examiner who conducted his May 2014 VA medical examination. If necessary, a new VA examination should be scheduled for an opinion on the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was granted a 70% rating effective March 4, 2016. His lumbar strain is rated at 10%. The issue of TDIU prior to March 4, 2016 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, specifically low back strain with DDD, is being remanded for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his mental health disability (PTSD), are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, fungal infection of the left great toe, and hypertension. The heart disability claim is pending as it relates to a direct service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine L5-1 has been rated at 10 percent since August 24, 2004. The Board found that his forward flexion was greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion was shown to be greater than 120 degrees, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is less likely as not related to the in-service injury and instead more likely due to natural progression of degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits application documents.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be service-connected, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.,Further development is required for the low back disorder claim due to conflicting evidence and need for clarification of the etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids were evaluated. The asthma was rated at 30 percent since March 25, 2013; the hearing loss was not compensable prior to October 16, 2014, and the hemorrhoids were rated at 10 percent after that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor involving shrapnel injuries during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployability is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's TENS unit and right knee brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, which resulted in a clothing allowance for the year 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left shoulder and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was incurred in wartime service and is granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not directly related to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.