Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's IVDS with degenerative changes, lumbar spine, which is the highest schedular rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are found to be the result of combat service in Vietnam, and thus granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, and as such, service connection is granted. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on his claim for service connection for a left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current disability ratings and service connection determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has not been manifested by symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board finds that the probative evidence of record is against a finding that current cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right elbow disabilities are related to service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claims are denied as service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of neck, right knee, and back disorders are to be determined. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also to be determined. New evidence may have been submitted that could reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his left upper extremity radiculopathy, are not related to service. The most probative evidence indicates these conditions arose from post-service work injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, general arthritis, leg and knee disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder are not service-connected. The Board found no clear evidence of a pre-existing condition aggravated by service or any other aggravation during service.

The Veteran's migraines have been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective June 24, 2009. The lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities remain at a noncompensable (zero percent) rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to inadequate opinion in the April 2017 VA examination and need for additional development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, which the Board has remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and addressing the Veteran's complaints of decreased neurological sensation in his lower extremities.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic low back disorder and sciatica are not service connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty or periods of ACDUTRA. The Veteran's current diagnoses were attributed to multiple events occurring after his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset during active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's liver cancer, which was presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, is service connected. The cause of death due to liver cancer is also service connected. Service connection for other conditions such as kidney disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), peripheral neuropathy, heart disability, lung disability, psychiatric disability, low back disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder are not established.