Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, originated during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back strain with sciatic nerve, right leg involvement was granted. He is now rated at 40 percent effective July 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been evaluated at 40 percent throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum schedular evaluation based on limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is now referred for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the preexisting condition was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since April 12, 2012. The rating remains unchanged for the other issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hypertension. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected back and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the lumbar spine receiving a 10% rating since March 2008 and the right knee receiving a non-compensable rating prior to June 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a basis for rating each claim on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and back disorder.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee, degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, left hallux valgus and bunion deformity with early degenerative changes of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and bone spurs of the right ankle are all related to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted effective July 6, 2010. However, his claim for TDIU was denied as there was no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to outstanding VA and SSA records, as well as the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, low back disability, and right wrist ganglionectomy residuals were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service event or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral testicular epididymitis and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The remaining issues on appeal will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatica are currently rated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent, which is not sufficient to reflect the severity of his symptoms. Service connection for depression was denied, and entitlement to a TDIU rating remains in dispute.