Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and thus denied service connection for all issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 80 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher. These service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for mitral valve prolapse with severe mitral regurgitation, finding that the condition first manifested in service and is a congenital disease. Service connection was also granted for postoperative residuals of mitral valve repair surgery.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 20% for the period prior to April 9, 2013, and a 40% rating for the period beginning April 9, 2013. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted a 20% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 6, 2014. The left wrist tenosynovitis has not been assigned a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's chronic disability manifested by multiple joint pain involving the wrists, elbows and back was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found that he has confirmed diagnoses of degenerative joint disease in these areas.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected asthma, evaluated in conjunction with obstructive sleep apnea, was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a separate evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6602.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The VA examiners have determined that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service, as there was no significant back problems prior to a work-related injury in 2009.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the low back disorder.

The Board granted service connection for herpes simplex (HSV 1&2) effective September 16, 2008.,Service connection was denied for a low back disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including low back spondylotic spondylisthesis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from St. Dominic Hospital and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing for issues of service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a lumbar spine condition. The issue of service connection for sciatica remains inextricably intertwined with the pending claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate VA examination opinions and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.