Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and not established service connection for nasal/sinus disorders, hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and GERD. The Veteran's PUD was granted a 10% rating since September 5, 2003.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a request for a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's back disorder and residuals of a broken tailbone are being evaluated further.

The Board denied service connection for right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease, as well as secondary service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease to a service-connected disability (right knee).

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hip disability are also granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for obesity, claimed as secondary to a service-connected back disability due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to May 9, 2012 was denied. The effective date of the TDIU award remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service, including exposure to radiation. He does not have a current diagnosis of pancreatitis or hip disability. His polycythemia was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of pancreatitis. The medical record shows he had an acute episode of pancreatitis shortly after service, but there are no subsequent complaints or diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal except for entitlement to an increased rating of his low back disability. The claim for TDIU was raised in conjunction with this issue.

The Veteran's residuals of left foot fracture have resulted in no more than moderate impairment, warranting a 10 percent rating.,VA examiners have not found that the low back disability was proximately caused or aggravated by service-connected residuals of a left foot fracture. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in a letter dated April 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection have been granted. He is now rated at 20 percent for his left knee internal derangement, with a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of motion associated with arthritis. Service connection has also been established for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to aggravation by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims due to the potential change in severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability and bilateral foot disability are not related to service, while his hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded for further development.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing at the local St. Petersburg RO.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected disabilities, including chronic pain syndrome and residuals of low back strain with central disc herniation at L5-S1.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, a right foot disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.