Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic eye disorder during active service and the current disorders are not related to such service. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence received since the last final decision was not new and material.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain employment. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spinal stenosis with degenerative changes is at least as likely as not causally related to his service-connected left knee disability, and the Board finds that secondary service connection for a right knee disability is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience prior to July 26, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain and found that service connection for tinnitus was not warranted. The evidence did not support a finding of favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the Veteran’s range of motion was sufficient to meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 18, 2011.,From October 18, 2011, the evidence of record indicates that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation with consideration of all factors bearing on the issue, to include his employment history and educational and vocational attainment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, Valley Fever, and an eye disorder due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims as they are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 6, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a stomach disability (claimed as secondary to medications taken for service-connected disabilities).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain resulted in pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. The sciatic nerve disabilities were mild but manifested as occasional numbness of the feet.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he/she has withdrawn the appeals for increased ratings for back and leg conditions, as well as TDIU prior to October 21, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and further evidentiary review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether it was aggravated by service or related to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his election to receive VA pension instead of compensation benefits.