Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right leg, cervical spine, and psychiatric disorders. The claim for service connection for a lung disorder is also granted. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral dry eye syndrome has been rated at 20 percent since the effective date of the award of service connection. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition. The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary infarct/embolism, and secondary service connection for his low back condition remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor are they proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of a service-connected disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative changes in his lumbar spine are at least as likely as not related to service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries, including his lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, headaches, vertigo, neurological condition affecting bilateral lower extremities (claimed as pain and muscle spasms), neuropathy of upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are due to his own willful misconduct. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and therefore denied his claim of entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted, effective April 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a back disability and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disorder and TDIU rating were both denied by the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 17, 2012. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability, or TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral Achilles tendonitis is related to her active military service and grants the claim for service connection. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for thoracolumbar spine strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder, feet disorders, toenail disorder and hypertension were all granted by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current skin condition or low back disability attributable to service. The claim for service connection was denied.