Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or conflicting evidence in previous VA examination reports and lack of clear opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lower back disability, skin cancer residuals, or gastrointestinal disorder/Barrett's esophagus that is related to his period of service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established as there is no evidence of disease or injury during service and no medical opinion linking any current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral leg condition as secondary to the low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, or right knee disability. The evidence of record is against finding service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar mechanical fusion, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to address the issue of whether the Veteran's nonservice-connected back disorder was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and a low back condition due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in February 2008. The current appeal is about a hiatal hernia, back disability (lumbar spine arthritis), and bowel disability (irritable bowel syndrome and rectal bleeding). These claims are currently being evaluated.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and dismissed the request for an earlier effective date for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.,There is no evidence of record prior to April 30, 2013, indicating any intent by the Veteran to apply for increased ratings or SMC.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the initial compensable disability rating for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria of being helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the neck, back, fingers, knees and ankles are found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar sprain disability precludes substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional symptomatology during flare-ups.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective July 27, 2015. His left lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee instability were also granted ratings of 20 percent each effective the same date.

The Board has found that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development of records and further evidence is needed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's consistent assertions of continuity of low back symptoms since service are credible and probative, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disability.