Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, is related to repetitive parachute jumps during military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise. The lower back issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain was denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a hearing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as her forward flexion did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not more nearly approximated limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, and no incapacitating episodes have occurred. The current rating adequately compensates for the Veteran's functional impairment.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including RLS, COPD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, low back disability, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary medical records and conduct appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 11, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service, including considering his credible report of continuous symptoms since service. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion from a medical examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right leg/hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition within one year post-service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine and DJD of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure but this was not completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during his service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The preexisting lumbar spine disability is found not to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including consideration of lay statements and in-service symptoms.

The Veteran does not have a current right knee disability or tinnitus.,There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's low back disability to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging a new VA examination to assess the severity of his spine disability, and readjudicating both his increased rating claim and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are related to his in-service helicopter crash, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right shoulder disabilities are service-connected, with a rating of 30%.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.