Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected back disability, finding that there is no evidence of additional limitation of motion associated with flare-ups without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the spine was incurred during his active duty military service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis and denied an increased rating for his low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral shoulder disability, finding no evidence of chronic symptoms during service or continuous symptoms since service. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by probative medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, expressing satisfaction with the current rating and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for TDIU prior to January 12, 2010.

The Board has found substantial compliance with its remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right hip disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back and headache disabilities to his service, including an in-service injury. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA opinions regarding the Veteran's low back, obstructive sleep apnea, and respiratory disabilities. The AOJ will review the claims file and readjudicate the appeal.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 12, 2012 for a compensable rating (10%) for hypertension. The issue was not about service connection but rather the timing of when this increased rating should have been applied.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Glaucoma is not found to be proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, it is as likely as not that glaucoma was caused by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post kidney transplant glomerulonephritis. Service connection was denied for a low back disability, with the examiner opining that dialysis did not cause or aggravate the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for new VA examinations to evaluate his bilateral SNHL, bilateral foot condition, bilateral knee condition, tension headaches, back condition, and muscle and joint pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination for PTSD and ensuring all relevant medical records are associated with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear income and pension eligibility, as well as potential errors in previous calculations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of his claims.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and unclear address information. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after all available evidence is obtained.