Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disability, diagnosed as strain, arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, is etiologically related to service and cannot be satisfactorily disassociated from service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent court decisions and the Veteran's assertion of worsening symptoms. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and a low back disorder were denied as there is no evidence of any such conditions during his period of active duty or since.

The Veteran's osteophytosis of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The disability is currently evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, neck disorder, and TBI have been granted. The Board has broadened the claims to include consideration of various other diagnoses.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder. The current disability does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the claim to reopen his cervical spine disability was also denied. The Board is remanding the case for additional development.

The Veteran's COPD was not related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for herniated discs of the lumbar spine was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for chronic migraines.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's low back disability, including whether it is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for lower back disorder, and service connection for hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder, to include degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or related to his period of service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to any in-service disease, event or injury, including a fall during basic training.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the service-connected back disability and for consideration of the issues of an increased rating for a back disability and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and authorization forms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 20, 2004, March 21, 2005, and June 26, 2008 for service connection of his low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's kidney stones have been granted a 10% rating effective September 22, 2016. The other issues were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected low back condition and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.