Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, updated treatment records, and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an examination.

The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a right knee disorder, as it is due to normal aging and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's back disability is related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claim of an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and readjudicating the issue.

The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, meeting the threshold criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral vision loss, a psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis of the left shoulder, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is related to a period of service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of increased rating for back disorder and hearing loss in the left ear remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and respiratory disability, to include sinusitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Cohen and providing VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including left foot paresthesias, exostosis of the left ankle, right shoulder capsulitis with nonunion fracture of the acromion and surgical scar, and left ankle scar. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a brain tumor - right bifrontal meningioma has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since his last final denial in 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is attributable to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities.

The Veteran's back disorder is service-connected, but his bilateral knee disorders and breathing problems are not.,His left elbow disorder was resolved in-service. His acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) secondary to migraines is also denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection of a right hip disability, left hip disability, and low back disability. The Veteran's service-connected left heel disability is alleged to have aggravated his right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is not prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, effective from February 22, 2005. Separate ratings of non-compensable (zero percent) have been assigned for left and right lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability and any related neurological manifestations.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a back disability, finding that new and material evidence was received since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine the current manifestations and effects of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a need for a new VA examination in accordance with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a hernia, multiple back strains, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered related to her military service.