Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lower back disability and secondary service connection on the basis of his already-service connected knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, attempt to obtain physical therapy records from Drayer's Physical Therapy in Aberdeen, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability. Service connection was denied for ingrown toenails.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's low back disability as it is considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of his reopened claim on February 2, 2009.,Both right shoulder and lower back disabilities were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the January 2007 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request not being scheduled. The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left knee replacement, back disability secondary to left knee disability, and right knee replacement are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative lumbar spondylosis and denied an increased rating for urticaria prior to March 25, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, including cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD), is not related to service or a disease/injury of service origin. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a low back disorder. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for acute bronchitis was also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is rated at 20 percent since September 12, 2012.,The Veteran's lumbar disc bulge and stenosis are rated at 20 percent since September 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations for her service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right knee instability, and left knee instability were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 60 percent, and he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis, is not related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic condition in service and concluded that any current low back disorder was less likely than not incurred or caused by events during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and hypertension did not manifest during his period of active service, and there is no evidence of a continuity of symptoms. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 40 percent from March 19, 2014 to the present. The left and right lower extremity conditions are separately rated based on their associated disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic GI or lumbar spine disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any current GI or lumbar spine disorders were related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's congenital spinal stenosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, and left hand disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The right knee disability rating issue is also being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolysis, is directly related to his active service. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has a current disability that was caused by or aggravated by an incident during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine had its onset in service and is related to his in-service injury, granting service connection.