Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, or acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and finds that it was incurred in service. The Veteran's current condition is considered to be due to natural progression rather than service, but service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain missing STRs and to provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his military service and remands the case for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, but it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. The case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for a low back condition was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating for PTSD, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a high rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, back condition, and bilateral big toe condition. The claim for bilateral hip condition is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's upper and low back disabilities are found to be related to service, while his right knee and foot disabilities are also found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was first diagnosed during active duty service and is presumed to have been incurred in service. The right knee disability and low back disability are not directly related to service, but may be caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran's credible testimony established an in-service injury and continuous back pain since then.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and a low back disorder. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left upper arm/shoulder disorder, and dental disorder (for VA outpatient treatment purposes). The appeal is pending on the issue of service connection for TBI.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is as likely as not due to his in-service duties, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back and bilateral leg disabilities are not related to his military service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU are being remanded to allow for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the appropriate service connection theory.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.