Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected hearing loss, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for separate ratings for neurological manifestations of his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to unclear findings in the record regarding whether these symptoms are related to the service-connected conditions or other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion on the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine/low back disorder, colon disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The new and material evidence claims have also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, a back disability, and a right hip disability. The evidence did not support that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service diagnosis of unstable back and spondylolysis.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The psychiatric disability was rated at 70 percent from March 18, 2014, forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate notice and scheduling of VA examinations for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with associated radiculopathy was evaluated, and the RO found that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted. The temporary total rating for hospital treatment from November 27, 2011 to February 29, 2012 was granted. Separate ratings for left lumbar radiculopathy (20%) and right lower extremity radiculopathy (20%) were assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and conducting an evaluation of the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability with IVDS has been rated at 40 percent since November 6, 2014. The rating is denied as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory disability due to in-service asbestos and chemical exposures (CB and CTC) have been denied. The Board notes that the Veteran served as a firefighter in the Aircraft crash and rescue division.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling medical examinations, and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation. The propriety of reducing the evaluation of his CAD from 60 percent to 30 percent is also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, hypertension, right and left hip disorders, and atrophy of the leg are all denied as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right leg disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private clinical documentation.