Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's low back disability, specifically facet arthritis of the lumbar spine, is found to be related to his active service and granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his lower back disability, including whether it is related to service-connected sarcoidosis with long-term steroid use.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, numbness of the face, numbness of the arms and hands, and numbness of the right leg (meralgia paraesthetica) as there is no evidence showing these conditions had their onset during or are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether service connection for a back disability is warranted on a secondary basis to his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus grants this claim.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no current disability or causal link to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders including arthritis and residuals of right knee replacement, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, and his hyperthyroidism is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's depression disorder is currently rated at 100 percent disabling effective December 23, 2013. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.,For the entire appeal period prior to March 2, 2006, the Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of low back disability, and determined that chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and a chronic lung disease are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back and right hip conditions are not service-connected as they did not develop during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's scoliosis of the lumbar spine was not found to warrant a higher evaluation prior to July 15, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right knee, and head injury disorders are not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle, neck, and back disabilities are not related to his active duty service or any other service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity of these conditions within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches due to traumatic brain injury have been granted a 40% rating, effective August 13, 2007. The decision also found that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not warranted an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for depression not otherwise specified and hip complaints/degenerative disc disease of the hips. The decision is mixed as it grants some issues but denies others.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for a separate compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 05, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee and bilateral hip conditions were not incurred in service or related to his already service-connected left knee condition. The Veteran's headaches are also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral sciatic nerve strain, but denied the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 10 percent since March 2009. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating prior to December 12, 2015 and does not meet criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.