Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorders, including arthritis, were not incurred in service or caused by any in-service event and are not related to active service. The Board also determined that they did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and are not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and tinea pedis and onychomycosis, as well as his claim of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The case is to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected back and leg conditions have been rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, with no additional rating granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from February 16, 2017. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's forward flexion was to 60 degrees and combined range of motion was to 180 degrees without ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disorder, effective from February 6, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to the prescribed medications for his service-connected disabilities causing multiple drug toxicity.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative joint disease and spinal stenosis (lumbar spine), is found to be related to the in-service injury. The Veteran also has bilateral lower extremity radiculitis that is linked to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculitis, as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and multiple neuropathies, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain with DDD and bilateral calluses of the feet, but denied service connection for chest pain. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the April 2002 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus secondary to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Regarding the low back disability, the evidence is not sufficient to establish a direct or secondary relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypercalcemia, hepatitis C, a skin disability (dermatophytosis of the foot), left shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, hyperparathyroidism, back disability, or sleep disorder. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical evidence and a new examination. The Veteran's low back disability claim will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

Service connection for GERD is granted as secondary to the service-connected duodenal ulcer, effective from March 16, 2007. The Veteran's other claims are denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for clarification on whether the depression is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee, PTSD, and degenerative disc disease L5-S1 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO has granted the requested increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.