Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The skin disability and low back disability are both found to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's back strain with lumbar degenerative disc disease and neurogenic claudication secondary to L2-L3 central canal stenosis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 31, 2007. A separate 10 percent rating for sciatic nerve disability of the left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as per VA regulations. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and therefore denies the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent remains pending.

The Board has determined that service connection for a left foot growth is not warranted as the disorder was not present during the period of the claim. Service connection for a low back disability and a left hip disability are denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and lumbar spine disability status post spinal fusion and laminectomy were not found to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides or other chemicals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in December 2008 and additional evidence of back pain during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a disability claimed as left leg pain. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of back, neck, right knee, or left knee for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as incomplete development for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 25, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and trochanteric bursitis of the hips, finding that these conditions were not related to service or service-connected bilateral weak foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and new examinations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for low back strain and ganglion left wrist are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the lack of notice regarding an earlier scheduled hearing. The claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The other issues on appeal are pending further adjudication.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine injury, including any additional disabilities related to the in-service injury. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to new and material evidence received after the initial denial of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, nerve damage with residual weakness throughout the left forearm and hand, and head injury residuals.,There is no current diagnosis of a left wrist disability at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 1, 2010. His left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent, also effective February 1, 2010. The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.