Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for various foot conditions, including left tarsal tunnel syndrome and diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking any current disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and lower back disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hand disability, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine and right knee disabilities and his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including IBS and anxiety disorder. The RO granted service connection for IBS but denied all other claims. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of IBS and determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher staged ratings for his low back strain with degenerative disc disease and service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for his left hip, left ankle, or low back conditions. Therefore, service connection on any basis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar strain. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy, claimed as secondary to his service-connected total right knee replacement, is not warranted.,There was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination of record is inadequate and requires a new one to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted effective December 2, 2009. The effective date has been extended to include his prior claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with dementia of Alzheimer's type and associated conditions such as a lumbar compression fracture and seizure disorder, render him in need of higher special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his inability to care for himself.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on the issues of service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, increased rating for depressive disorder NOS, and initial increased rating for pes cavus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active duty service, including a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to be due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a new VA examination and opinion regarding his service-connected back disorder, right knee iliotibial band syndrome, left knee iliotibial band syndrome, and bilateral calcaneal bursitis. The issues of entitlement to a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. 3.324 for multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities and entitlement to TDIU are also deferred until the claims can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for hypertension and a higher initial rating for his back disability have been denied. The Board found that the March 2003 denial of service connection for hypertension was final, and no new or material evidence had been submitted prior to May 12, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis requires aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on this condition.

The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion to address the Veteran's spine disorders, including his lay statements of continuous symptoms since service discharge, multiple service records noting lumbar spine symptoms after a November 1969 car accident, and VA treatment notes. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether each diagnosed cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar spine disorder had onset in or is otherwise caused by the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis with radiculopathy is secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrial fibrillation, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, GERD, wrist and shoulder disabilities, and vertigo have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.