Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is related to active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his in-service ACDUTRA injury, and his right knee disorder is secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to both issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain and degenerative joint disease (DJD) and cervical strain and DJD were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the spine or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and tension headaches, finding that the current conditions are not causally or etiologically related to active service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and tension headaches were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right hip disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his active duty service.,Secondary service connection was also denied for both conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain correctional facility treatment records and an opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, or left shoulder disability related to service. The skin disorder claim is also denied as there is no evidence of a current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and middle and lower back disability are related to service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability, including associated neurological manifestations, is rated at 40 percent disabling effective from May 28, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus was related to his active duty service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including associated radiculopathy, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a separate rating for each lower extremity radiculopathy issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder and traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of March 7, 2012. The Board granted this claim on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and secondary neurogenic bladder have been granted effective from June 9, 2004.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back and right knee disorders are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea. The TDIU claim also requires clarification of employment status.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot and low back disorders did not begin during service or within one year of separation from service, and there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were otherwise caused by military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.