Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbar and neck conditions have been granted service connection.,Increased ratings for CTS in both upper extremities are granted, with the right hand receiving a 30 percent rating effective February 18, 2016, and the left hand receiving a 20 percent rating from that date forward. The Veteran's loss of sense of taste is now rated as compensable.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 10 percent disabling since April 13, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active duty service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to noise exposure in service and has been granted. The status of the hernia and back disability claims remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as an evaluation of his sleep apnea and traumatic brain injury claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and arranging for VA examinations of his left shoulder and thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back pain with sciatica and granted service connection for post-operative lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a rating higher than 50 percent, and she was also granted an increased rating for her low back condition. The cervical spine condition and right median nerve neuropathy were not service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, special home adaptation grant, specially adapted housing, and SMC based upon the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse as the appellant withdrew his appeal. The claim for SMC was denied due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's spouse is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed back condition or joint conditions (left shoulder, bilateral elbows, and bilateral knees). As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, gynecomastia, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as a bilateral leg condition), degenerative osteoarthritis at L3-4 (claimed as low back pain), left carotid occlusion, and bilateral hand injury have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or treatment for the claimed conditions. His post-service medical records indicate diagnoses of GERD in 2000, hypertension in 2005, and bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees beginning in 2004. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorders, headaches, cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, acquired psychiatric/mental disorders (including PTSD, depression, anxiety), and sleep disorders. The Board found no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor has it caused unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar strain and its functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar strain must be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and L5-S1 disc herniation with bilateral foraminal stenosis are related to his active service, granting service connection for these disabilities.