Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to a need for an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, bilateral shoulder, upper extremity neurological disabilities (neuropathy), and lower extremity neurological disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his active service or period of ACDUTRA, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection and rated at a 10 percent rating prior to February 2, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder bursitis and arthritis, chronic lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and asthma have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for a low back disability, claimed as low back pain, and a right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis and irritable bowel syndrome have been reopened, but the claims are not granted. The effective date of any future grant will be determined based on when the claim was received.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeals for sleep apnea and right hand injury prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound due to her service-connected depressive disorder and cervical spine disability, as she meets the statutory criteria for a single disability rated at 100% disabling. However, she does not meet the requirement of having additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more when combined.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and obtaining VA and private treatment records. A supplemental examination is also required to address the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and obtaining recent outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated VA examination.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain and herniated disc, is related to an inservice motor vehicle accident. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying overpayment and copayment amounts, and considering whether the Veteran's income was reduced due to these factors. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, effective November 1, 2007, was denied. The issue regarding separate disability ratings for urinary hesitancy and nocturia as neurologic residuals of service-connected spinal stenosis prior to September 7, 2007, was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for sleep apnea, hypertension, and a chronic disability of the lumbosacral spine before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's scoliosis preexisting her military service was not aggravated by service, and any degenerative changes in her thoracolumbar spine are related to natural progression of age rather than service.