Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back conditions, including DDD and sacroiliitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The medical evidence did not support a link between his active duty service and his current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee, shoulder and low back disabilities are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or injury in service, and any current conditions are more likely due to natural progression of age-related degenerative changes.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which is rated at 10 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, does not warrant a higher rating as his range of motion has not been shown to be severe enough to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new examination to address service connection claims for low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate he hurt his back in service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the nature of his current conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability, to include arthrosis of the lumbar spine, is not related to an in-service injury and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records, and a VA examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, all joints is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the course of the appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.,Service connection for back condition is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to active service. The Veteran's reported medical history does not support a finding that he had this condition during service or related it to service.,Prior to January 1, 2014, the Veteran was awarded non-service connected pension benefits as his income did not exceed the maximum limit for such benefits. As of January 1, 2014, his income exceeded the maximum limit and he is no longer eligible for these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his mental health conditions and physical disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU were denied. The right hip and low back disorder claims are not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine injury with degenerative joint disease and erectile dysfunction associated with total knee replacement, right knee. The claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability, to include lumbar strain, and affirms that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his claimed conditions. The appeals will be reconsidered after the additional information and evaluations are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to allow for further development of the record, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine arthritis, finding that there is at least a 50% probability these conditions are related to service. The issue of service connection for bilateral foot disability remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder or residuals of an injury of the right foot during service, and denied both claims due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims related to his service-connected lower back disability, a cervical spine disability, and neurological disabilities. The Board has ordered remand for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and issuing an SOC with respect to the issues on appeal.