Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and gynecological disorders are not related to her service, including any exposure to chemicals during service. The claims were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain with mild spondylosis and mild degenerative disc disease at L3-L4, finding that there was no change in severity since the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service department verification of his 1981-1985 period of active service and medical records from that time. The Veteran's sleep problems are also being reviewed as part of this process.

The Veteran's TBI was found to be related to service, and he is now granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board found that an effective date prior to June 13, 2012 for the grant of a TDIU is denied as the Veteran was not shown to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinion in the previous VA examination and because service connection was granted for bilateral lower extremity disabilities, which should also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues on appeal are whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a PTSD claim, and entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, left knee disability, or left ankle disability that had its onset during active service or within the one year presumptive period. The VA examinations and other evidence do not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The evidence submitted since the August 2014 decision was found to be either cumulative or redundant of previous evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain is granted as his current back disability was incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in the request for verification of an airplane crash landing and inadequate addendum opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck, low back, and peripheral neuropathy disorders.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a need for increased ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and cervical spine osteoarthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claims.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent prior to April 8, 2013. From August 1, 2013, the rating increased to 60 percent due to incapacitating episodes of IVDS lasting six weeks or more in a 12-month period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current Lyme disease had its onset during active service and affirms the original grant of service connection.