Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The diagnoses of major depressive disorder and paranoid personality disorder are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and low back disability are related to service. Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for low back disorder, PTSD, right shoulder disorder, left leg disorder, lung disorder, and allergic reaction to vaccines. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right lower extremity disabilities are not related to his service, including a January 1992 injury during ACDUTRA. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder, back disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability claim is withdrawn. For his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, the criteria for higher ratings have not been met prior to September 4, 2013, or on and after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals left foot disability resulted in a 20 percent rating effective June 16, 2011. The Board granted this initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, effective November 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, TBI, low back disorder, and residuals of a right hand fracture have been granted. The claim for an eye disorder was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The specific conditions and issues on appeal are related to his lumbar spine, knees, ankles, pharyngitis, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions are related to his service and have granted service connection for all claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal to include service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the shoulders. The Veteran's claims are granted as his current disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left hip, left thumb, testicular, low back, right thigh, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to new evidence, but finds that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, including recent treatment from the Bay Pines VAMC.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, including arthritis and associated radiculopathy, is as likely as not related to an injury during service.