Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to May 30, 2011 and after August 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his overall disability picture, which includes multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant documents are associated with his electronic claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder to include degenerative disk disease/degenerative joint disease was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or condition related to his current symptoms. The left leg disorder was also not granted service connection on primary basis due to lack of in-service complaints and no indication of causation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to insufficient development and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and the Board is remanding the case for further development regarding whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development, including a failure to provide medical opinions and VA examinations as requested in the November 2015 remand. The case is now pending for further consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and sinus disabilities are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic headache disability in service or post-service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities. This includes obtaining outstanding post-service treatment records, scheduling another VA examination, and considering any new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability, low back disability, loss of vision, fatigue (no energy), dizziness, and accelerated pulse are not service-connected.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal involving the timeliness of his notice of disagreement with the August 2006 rating decision is dismissed. The VA examinations conducted have shown no more than flexion limited to 45 degrees, and a combined range of motion limited to 180 degrees, with painful motion; there was no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, no ankylosis, and no incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multilevel thoracolumbar spondylosis with sciatica, right hip degenerative joint disease with sacroiliitis, and left hip degenerative joint disease are all service-connected based on their direct relationship to her active military service.,However, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by her representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and AL amyloidosis, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service. The Veteran was granted an increased rating of 70% for his mood disorder not otherwise specified.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran sustained a tailbone fracture during active duty or that he has had continuous symptoms since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is attributable to service and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a chronic back disability that manifested during or as a result of active military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the evaluations of PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.