Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for PTSD, stomach disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral wrist disability, bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, traumatic head/brain injury, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, or left inguinal hernia, status-post surgical repair is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of active service and service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for a back disorder, a GI disorder, and hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted an increased rating to 10% for the right middle finger disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service-connected left ankle disability, which caused or aggravated his low back condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a right leg disability examination and review of claims regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, to include degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, is not related to his active service. The claims for bronchitis and asthma have been REMANDED as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was characterized by pain, limitation of motion, and stiffness from August 1, 2007, to June 8, 2008. The appeal for a higher rating during this period was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral heel spurs are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and no current disabilities etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, including noise exposure during parachute jumps. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Regarding low back disability, the Veteran's low back disability is not currently diagnosed and there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability recognized by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and tinnitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches. The Veteran was also denied an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability from February 5, 2011 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy of the left leg has been rated at 20 percent since July 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to SSA disability benefits, and if new evidence is obtained, it should be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for a right knee disability, back disability, and bilateral hip disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.