Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred in active service and is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% disabling, his Meniere's Disease and related conditions are service-connected, and he is granted a TDIU. The reduction in back disability evaluation from 20% to 10% is upheld.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new rating or benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver cancer, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, a bladder disability, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals are granted.

The VA correctly calculated the Veteran's combined disability rating of 60 percent for his multiple service-connected disabilities, including a newly granted low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from June 5, 2009, to April 25, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during this timeframe.

The Veteran's PFB is found to have developed during service and continues to the present day.,There is no current diagnosis of a back disability. The Veteran's complaints are not supported by medical evidence.,PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not report PTSD symptoms or meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,Hair loss was diagnosed in service, but there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's claim for cervical spine strain was denied, and his claim for back disability is still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected and denied her request to reopen a claim for service connection for a back condition. The July 1996 rating decision denying the reopening of the claim was final due to lack of appeal within the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's service connection for facet osteoarthritis of the L4-L5 and L5-S1, or arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral hip disability, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of VA treatment records. The issue remains about entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left shoulder, and arthritis of the left leg disabilities. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran and his attorney indicating they wish to withdraw their appeals for increased ratings for right knee disabilities and service connection for lumbar spine disc disease and a skin rash. The remaining issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is being remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection and assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, left knee disorder, allergic rhinitis, and renal failure. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for a low back disorder.