Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability during the period of active service or within one year after separation. The evidence showed no treatment for these conditions in service and only occasional mentions of elevated blood pressure readings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not properly notified of his pending examinations and will reschedule them. The claims for service connection for a lower back disability and for a compensable rating for residuals of a left fibula fracture are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment, and he is therefore denied a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to potential aggravation of her back disability during periods of active duty service. The Board requests additional information from the VA to determine if there are any periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA that qualify as active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and neck disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 29, 2012.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50/50 chance the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine began during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity paralysis secondary to surgical repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient attempts by VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Sandknopfp and Dr. Chang, which may contain relevant information for the claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder (back disorder), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, toe disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that her current back disability began during or was otherwise caused by her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disorder, schizoaffective disorder with bipolar I disorder, and migraine headaches on a secondary basis to her service-connected frostbite residuals of the feet. The lumbar spinal stenosis is also considered as being related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability resulted in a thoracolumbar range of motion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees when considering pain, weakness, fatigability or incoordination. The Board denied the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further adjudication.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for lumbar spine DDD and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, a left eye disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a disorder of the right testicle were granted. The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for food poisoning has been dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues including the rating of lumbar spine disability, secondary service connection for bladder condition and BUE conditions, secondary service connection for BLE conditions, secondary service connection for gunshot wound to the left leg, service connection for respiratory condition (asthma), service connection for hepatitis C, and secondary service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is also granted.