Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the back that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service. The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a back disability before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disorder aggravates his lumbar spine disorder beyond its normal progression. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder, aggravated by a service-connected right ankle disability is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation. The examiner opined that the Veteran's back condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and bilateral hand disabilities did not have their onset during active service, were not chronic during service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and are not etiologically related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is related to his service, and thus service connection for a back condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.,There is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back pain and fibromyalgia are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or immediately following service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The appeal is also remanded for scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression). The Veteran's symptoms were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability with degenerative disc disease and right sciatic neuropathy was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spinal disorders are not aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back and right arm/shoulder disabilities are related to his service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and determined that it is at least as likely as not that his current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.