Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive review of his medical records and an opinion regarding whether the August 1986 laminectomy caused additional disability, including DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA clinic records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, lumbar spondylosis of L5-S1, lumbar disc herniation, and post-lumbar spinal fusion, is not considered to be related to his military service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder was denied multiple times, and no new or material evidence was received within one year of the denials. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at March 16, 2011.

The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with chronic low back strain is proximately due to her service-connected disabilities, including her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, was incurred in active service. However, it denied service connection for COPD (claimed as residuals of bronchopneumonia, left lower lobe) due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his active duty noise exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure remains pending as requested information regarding proximity to herbicides was not obtained.

The Board has determined that there is at least equipoise evidence to support the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, and thus grants this claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 17, 2013.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are granted as these conditions have existed continuously since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection and potential aggravation of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for a more thorough opinion from Dr. S.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to service or any service-connected condition, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, or a low back disability. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors and there is no current diagnosed psychiatric disability related to service.