Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The low back disability is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of thoracic and lumbar spine disorders, as well as cervical spine disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extension of a temporary total convalescence rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for CUE in the August 1996 rating decision and found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his service connection claims. The claims were also denied as secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disc disease with urinary incontinence and radiculopathy is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a low back condition during or within one year after her military service. The examiner found that the current disability was less likely caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940. The Veteran's service-connected back conditions are expected to impact his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability has been denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and back disability are found to be related to service, while his diabetes mellitus is not. The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of rating higher than 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability and a rating higher than 10 percent for a right elbow disability have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for a chronic back disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between any of these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's DDD at L5-S1 with herniated nucleus pulposus is rated at 40 percent, effective September 24, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain, finding it at least as likely as not that he developed this condition due to an injury sustained during a period of inactive duty training. The skin disorder and bilateral foot disorder claims are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right knee, and right foot disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service, and thus denies the claim for service connection.