Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided by VA. The Veteran was also found to be not rendered unemployable as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lower back disorder is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to service, including his in-service treatment for back pain. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, lower and middle back disorder, and pes planus. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's low back disability is being evaluated in light of all available evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere's syndrome with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo prior to November 17, 2014, is also denied.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective May 18, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU due to incomplete development of the record. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and back disability were not found to warrant a higher rating or service connection, respectively. The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, as well as service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to a low back condition. The remaining issues regarding respiratory disability, prostate disability, and testicular disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report and need for clarification on whether any diagnosed back disability is related to service.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's low back disorder and his military service, thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining records from JSRRC and VA eye examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, bilateral eyes, shoulders, knees, and spine are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, headaches, muscle spasms, and vertigo are related to his service-connected TMJ disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's congenital deformity and transitional L6 with spondylolysis did not pre-exist service, and thus could not be granted service connection. The current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis were also deemed to have occurred due to natural progression rather than in-service aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis prior to July 12, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and examination.