Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, but the in-service injury is not shown to have caused or resulted in chronic symptoms of a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and respiratory conditions due to inadequate examinations. The low back disorder claim is also being remanded as there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy are related to an injury sustained during his INACDUTRA period, and thus service connection is granted.

The claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, left hip, and back conditions have been reopened. The Veteran's knee conditions are also pending.,Service connection for a kidney disability is not warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, stomach disorder, high cholesterol, and an eye disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, updating employment information, and providing a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability, as well as additional medical records are required. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted on a presumptive basis due to his Vietnam-era exposure. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted, but the specific disability evaluation remains pending as new VA examinations are needed.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence showing a relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a bilateral knee disorder were all denied. The Veteran was not granted any initial evaluations or service connections.

The Veteran's hypertension was first manifest during active duty and the Board has determined that it had causal origins in service. The low back disability, sleep apnea, and lower respiratory disability are not currently decided.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional staged ratings granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome and bursitis, is not related to his period of active military service. The lumbar spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The neurological impairment has been found to be no more than slight before March 1, 2013, and moderate thereafter. The right hip disability is also rated at 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent for instability after March 1, 2013. The left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's right elbow disability has been found to warrant an increased rating of 10 percent. Finally, the plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that neither a current neck disorder nor a current back disorder began during service or is related to service in any other way.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections, left hip disability, right foot tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's Peyronie's disease. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to require extraschedular referral for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain was found to be manifested by limited motion, pain, and weakness. The VA determined that the current rating of 40 percent for his condition as of August 20, 2013, is appropriate.