Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, TDIU, and DEA are denied. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to August 1, 2016 and did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, and her bilateral hallux valgus claim does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date. The temporary total evaluation request was also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to address the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected low back disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the submitted evidence.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for PTSD is still pending as new evidence was submitted but does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine strain and disc bulge, is a result of injury in active military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection for various disorders. The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for additional development, including consideration of new medical evidence and a neurological examination. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on October 22, 2008. The Board finds that the earliest date for which service connection may be granted is October 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for tinea pedis with onychomycosis prior to July 30, 2010 and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain, status post L5-S1 discectomy from July 30, 2010 to December 6, 2010. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was not addressed as it is not related to service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's sleep apnea manifested during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and address the Veteran's complaints of radicular pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and relationship of his current psychiatric disabilities to service. The effective date issue regarding the lumbar spine disability will also be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for an umbilical hernia but denied service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's stomach condition is now considered service-connected, while his low back disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has resulted in less than 30 degrees of forward flexion, warranting a 40 percent rating. The disability does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.