Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, variously diagnosed, are proximately due to or caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches. The claim for a movement disorder/seizures, to include as residuals of a head injury, and the claim for a back disability, to include as residuals of a head injury, are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left tibia/fibula impairment or scoliosis of the lumbar spine, and denied service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss with history of otitis media and otitis externa, right ear otitis media and otitis externa, and tinea pedis have been rated as noncompensably disabling (0%). The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to provide testimony at a hearing before the Board, and for any other necessary development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for inflammatory arthritis and a lumbar spine disorder have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records from various locations. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's low back strain with muscle spasms is not manifested by a forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees, a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for low back strain with muscle spasms is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is found to be related to his in-service injury.,Regarding the left leg neurological disability, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's lower back disability has been rated as 40 percent disabling, with no higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her hypertension, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder did not increase in severity during service, and thus, the presumption of soundness does not apply. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and low back disorder are service-connected, with no new evidence required.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and recurrent lumbar strain and L5-S1 disc herniation. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.