Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with right L-5 radiculopathy were denied. The initial noncompensable disability rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee was not warranted prior to May 16, 2003, and a 10 percent rating from that date until June 25, 2010, was also not granted.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a low back disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed unrelated to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee, cervical and lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, arm, hand, leg, head injury residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were determined to have existed prior to service and were not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye injury and low back condition were denied. The claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient reasoning in the May 2010 VA opinion. The claims for service connection are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to June 9, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral eye disability, low back disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's low back injury with DDD is currently rated at 40 percent, and his right hip disability has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and PTSD, as well as the claim for increased compensation for dependents due to pending Social Security disability application.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to her active duty service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and Parkinson's disease are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, while asthma is presumed due to noise exposure. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report to scheduled hearings and VA examinations, as well as incomplete records from a VA facility in the Philippines. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any missing records.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not manifest in service, arthritis was not shown within the one-year presumptive period, and there is no causal relationship between his current back disability and military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Type II, a lumbar spine disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease of L5, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of his current lumbar disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of his back, leg/knee disabilities, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.