Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and gout and arthritis of multiple joints to obtain additional VA examinations and opinions. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the referred petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records. The AOJ will also obtain an addendum opinion from the July 2017 VA examiner regarding the existence, nature, and etiology of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective December 17, 2015. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain unchanged.

The Veteran's hypertension developed secondary to his service-connected PTSD and was granted service connection. The low back disability is not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder. The case will be returned to the Louisville RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure. The VA examinations and medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back disability has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in March 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for IVDS with lumbar spine strain was set at August 16, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a more current VA spine examination and the acquisition of private physical therapy records. The case will be returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 7, 2012 to March 4, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar strain with a history of herniated disc did not result in significant disability. The Veteran's cervical strain did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was productive of mild incomplete paralysis throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's GERD has resulted in persistent symptoms but without severe impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression and thoracolumbar strain.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether service connection for a low back disability is warranted, and thus grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, but his tinnitus is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for updated examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disability. The Veteran's claims are supported by competent medical evidence that links his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not etiologically related to service.,Prior to November 5, 2015, the Veteran's PFB was manifested by subjective complaints of irritation with or without shaving, itching, and stinging; objective findings reflect treatment with topical medication and involvement of a body area of less than five percent.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.