Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, including for ischemic heart disease presumed related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The left shoulder disorder was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction was also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not addressed as the issue is related to a different claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the low back claim and concluding that there was insufficient evidence linking either disability to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected old lumbar compression fracture and degenerative disc disease did not result in the required range of motion for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability. The Veteran's scars on the chest, shoulder, and back are also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer residuals was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective March 1, 2010. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed no recurrence of prostate cancer and the Veteran was not undergoing treatment.,SMC based on housebound status was restored effective March 1, 2010, due to the Veteran's service-connected bowel incontinence precluding him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was reopened and service connection for a cervical spine disorder, headaches, bilateral great toe disorders, and TBI were granted. The Veteran also had his disability rating restored to 40 percent for the back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and that hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol and high triglycerides) is not shown by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, lower back disability, and depression are all service-connected.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 50 percent, while hypothyroidism remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and sleep disability are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residual scars, first degree burns of the face. The Veteran's other claims have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the periods on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD or a low back disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating was 100 percent, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities. The criteria for the assignment of a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine with spondylosis is rated at 40 percent, effective from July 20, 2017. The Veteran's tension headaches are rated as non-compensable throughout the period on appeal.

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