Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirement for a TDIU prior to September 20, 2016. The most probative evidence does not reflect that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions and missing records. The appellant is not entitled to presumptions of service connection based on ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent prior to September 24, 2012 and has been reduced to 20 percent since then. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner or another qualified medical professional to address whether the Veteran's back and leg disorders are related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and relationship of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including whether it is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and its impact on his ability to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bursitis and DDD (also claimed as osteoarthritis) of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine has been denied. The Board found that there is no separate 'bursitis' disorder with symptoms not overlapping or duplicating symptomatology already compensated through service connection, nor would a grant warrant separate service connection for any asserted joint or body part affected.,The Veteran's claim for DDD (also claimed as osteoarthritis) of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine has also been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing onset of such conditions during service, nor are they related to service in any other way.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA records and providing a VA orthopedic examination to address the current severity of any residuals of a left knee injury with degenerative joint disease. The examiner is also requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any right knee, left shoulder, cervical spine, or lumbar spine disorder is aggravated by the service-connected left knee disorder.

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

The Veteran's anal fissure, status post left lateral internal sphincterectomy, was granted a noncompensable evaluation and later increased to 10 percent effective from May 14, 2009. The Board is remanding the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anal fissure.,The Veteran's left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and low back disorder were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to his back disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased rating for low back disability and service connection for sleep apnea syndrome are both pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and an increased rating for lumbar strain are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of heart palpitations or low back disability for which service connection can be granted. Therefore, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not related to service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.