Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to his active service or due to a service-connected disability, including as secondary to his service-connected pes planus and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected low back strain and its impact on her ability to work. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are found to have their onset during his combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right wrist disability, as well as the reopening of his claim for a low back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, provide examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, and determine the appropriate service connection theory.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be etiologically related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of increased evaluations for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and left shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff tendonitis prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including VA examinations for his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The issues of service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if his current lumbar spine disability is related to service, and whether his current sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, while his hypertension is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure during service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, while finding no evidence of aggravation of his left thigh laceration during service. The claim for residuals of a laceration to the left thigh was denied due to lack of in-service aggravation.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not related to service, but her sinusitis and associated headaches are related to service.,Service connection for a low back disorder is denied. Service connection for sinusitis with associated sinus headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 19, 2014 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of SMC based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities has also been raised.

The VA has granted a rating of 40 percent for IVDS of the lumbar spine, effective April 21, 2016. The appellant's service-connected disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The VA has also granted TDIU based on the appellant's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability and GERD as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has not been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.