Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, was incurred during active service due to a motor vehicle accident in 1971. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and psychiatric disabilities are service-connected, with no issues remaining unresolved. The hearing testimony and medical records support these findings.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee scar, but denied service connection for low back disability and left knee disability other than the scar. The Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.,Regarding bilateral hearing loss, the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and psychiatric disability are service-connected. The claims for a TDIU rating have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diabetes mellitus, and COPD are not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed right shoulder, left shoulder, left wrist, index and middle fingers, right knee, right ankle, bilateral foot disorder (including cold injury residuals), or low back disorders. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar disc disease was denied, and service connection for bilateral sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar disc disease was granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board found that the cause of death, subdural hematoma due to blunt head trauma, was not service-connected as it did not result from a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's PTSD and other disabilities were not determined to have contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a low back disability, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right hip disability to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 80%, meeting the threshold percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, despite this, VA medical opinions indicate that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not originate during her active service and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, she cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, hypertension, migraines, or lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is denied. The Board finds that a new VA examination is warranted due to the passage of time and changes in symptoms since the last examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's current back disability. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal issues, eye problems, and gastrointestinal issues. The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are necessary to address the nature and etiology of these claims.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for bilateral knee disability as resolved by a March 2015 award of service connection. The remaining claims on lower back and left shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including reviewing new evidence and conducting a VA examination to address the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The AOJ is also requested to confirm the dates of the Veteran's participation in the United States Army reserves and consider whether any service-connected disability caused or aggravated his right knee condition.