Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 40 percent since March 17, 2014. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine strain and awarded an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including examinations and notice regarding certain aspects of her claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing new opinions on the etiology of her low back condition, right upper extremity numbness, and headaches.

The Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected and he has been granted a higher rating.,For his left knee disability, the Veteran was granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective from May 4, 2010. He also received separate ratings for limitation of extension (30%) and slight instability (10%).,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 23, 2009, with a separate rating for limitation of extension (30% effective from July 23, 2009 to July 20, 2012) and slight instability (10%).,The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent since May 4, 2010. He also received a separate rating for limitation of extension (30% effective from July 23, 2009 to July 20, 2012) and slight instability (10%).,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and hypertension have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability increased rating and entitlement to TDIU due to new evidence being associated with her case.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for memory loss, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, stomach disorder, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current low back disability and to clarify the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, glaucoma, back disability (scoliosis), foot disability (pes planus), and primary insomnia (depression). The decision also noted that there was no current evidence of a sinus disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders, back disorder, Dupuytren's contractures of both hands, breathing disorder, dysphagia, headaches, leg and foot disorders, as well as liver disorder. The highest rating assigned was 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, stroke residuals, and back disorder have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private chiropractic records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the withdrawal of his appeal for PTSD and other issues will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including DDD, stenosis, and IVDS is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied by the RO prior to January 7, 2011. The Board has now remanded the case due to a lack of evidence assessing his employability prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disorder and increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees. The case is REMANDED to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to service, and thus service connection is granted.