Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition, and he failed to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an initial evaluation higher than 70 percent disabling for PTSD with depression. The claim for maxillary sinus disease was not adjudicated as it is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar/thoracic spine and bilateral knee disorders are not related to her service-connected pes planus, and thus denied these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lower back condition during service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current lower back disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's reported history is not fully addressed in the current medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a 50% rating prior to February 11, 2016. The Board finds that the next higher rating of 70% for PTSD is not warranted as his functional impairment does not meet the criteria for deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected back disability and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with a specific rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral discogenic disease. The other conditions are rated as compensable.

The Veteran's appeals of the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, and a back disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reopened and granted for PTSD. The cervical spine disability claim is also being granted, but the psychiatric disorder other than PTSD claim remains pending. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding effective dates for service-connected chronic lumbar strain and spondylosis, as well as tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibrocystic breast disease, a back disorder, pregnancy problems, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions. The Board also found that her statements regarding in-service events are not credible.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new medical examination and consideration of TDIU. The appellant's service-connected low back strain is at issue.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a low back disability, finding that the only legal entitlement is to the date of receipt of the Veteran's application to reopen his claim on July 19, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral polyneuropathy are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and needs further development before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins of the right thigh, lumbar spondylosis and discogenic disease, and left lower extremity radiculopathy had onset in service and are related to such. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, nor could it be presumed to have been incurred within one year of discharge. The examiner concluded that the right foot disability did not aggravate the low back disorder beyond its natural progression.