Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for further development and an opinion regarding its relationship to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric or back disorders to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's muscle strain of the back with low back pain was granted a 10% evaluation prior to August 14, 2007 and denied an evaluation in excess of 20%. The right carpal tunnel neuropathy was granted a 30% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating or TDIU based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from December 2, 2002 to May 5, 2012, or since May 5, 2012. The neurological manifestations were also rated as mild.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The left knee disability issue remains pending as further development was needed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine discogenic disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are considered, but his TDIU claim is being remanded for further review due to conflicting opinions regarding his employability.

The Veteran's low back disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 11, 2016. From that date, it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and arthritis of the feet, as well as a low back disorder. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence linking his current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the aggravation of OSA by a service-connected disability, specifically the bilateral deviated nasal septum.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's DJD of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new hearing due to the retirement of the VLJ who presided over the previous hearing. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current foot disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the feet. The low back and hip disorders are found to be secondary to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and spine disabilities. The claims will be reviewed on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is found to be caused by his service-connected right knee condition.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy as secondary to the service connected right knee arthritis status post-meniscectomy.,Service connection for a respiratory condition due to exposure to asbestos and carbon toxins during service is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be related to his service, granting service connection. The issues of higher initial ratings for the spine and TDIU are remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran was seen for complaints of headaches following a head injury in service and has presented competent and credible evidence that those headaches have persisted since service.,It is as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The issue of service connection for the neck requires additional development and is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).