Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a low back disorder, finding sufficient evidence of in-service injury and chronicity of symptoms following separation from military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of arthritis or other compensable disability within one year post-service. The VA examiners have opined that these conditions are less likely caused by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise a result of a disease or injury in active military service. The Board also determined that the condition was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied service connection for a respiratory disability. The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain was incurred in service, while his current respiratory condition is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis, finding that it is a subsequent manifestation of the already service-connected arthritis.

The Board has determined that a 20 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability from May 25, 2010 forward was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration, as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage threshold for a TDIU under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his period of service and grants service connection for this condition. The cramping disability claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The preponderance of evidence shows that his bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year after service, and is not causally related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be related to his current low back disorder, and the condition does not appear to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right and left ankle conditions. This includes obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hyperkeratosis with hyperhidrosis of the feet was denied effective March 28, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied effective March 28, 2008. The denial was based on a lack of current disability and no in-service injury or aggravation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hyperkeratosis with hyperhidrosis of the feet was denied effective March 28, 2008. The denial was based on a lack of current disability and no in-service injury or aggravation.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been rated at 10 percent since February 17, 2012.,An earlier effective date for these ratings is not warranted.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for cervical spine DDD is granted, with a current disability rating of 20 percent.,Service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was granted as he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the February 2006 VA rating decision, which resulted in the denial of service connection for various conditions and an increase in rating for esophagitis. The remaining issues were decided on their merits.

The appellant's representative has withdrawn all claims on appeal due to the death of the Veteran, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a sleep disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The issues of an increased rating for back disability on an extraschedular basis and TDIU were also addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities.