Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected DJD of the right foot.,The Veteran's respiratory disorders are related to service exposure to asbestos. His current COPD and asthma are at least as likely as not caused by in-service asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's back disorder is related to a back injury sustained during an incident involving his right foot, which he claims occurred while on active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted effective January 13, 2006. The effective date of the grant of service connection was set at January 4, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case is no longer under consideration.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his lower back disability has been granted at a 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. For the periods prior to June 3, 2010, and beginning October 1, 2010, he is also rated with moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve affecting the left lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment. The Veteran's current diagnoses are presumed unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability, deviated septum with allergic rhinitis, and left posterior scalp scars. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee (status post total knee arthroplasty and revisions), and low back disabilities on a direct basis. The claims are based on in-service injury and secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is required due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disability is proximately due to a service-connected disease or injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided, including obtaining a missing medical opinion and scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's low back disorder, knee disability, foot disability, and sciatica.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability is granted.

The Veteran died of septic shock, but the service-connected back disability and other conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist and remands this case for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and left ankle disorders are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.