Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his scheduled videoconference hearing. His claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders in February 2007. The Veteran's claims of reopening these issues are still pending.,The Veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, psychiatric disability including PTSD, or tinea cruris.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease since August 24, 2011. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated as 20 percent disabling since May 13, 2014.

The Board found no evidence of a lumbar or cervical spine disability in service, and concluded that any current disabilities are not related to service.,The Board also determined that the Veteran's bilateral leg numbness is not linked to his tailbone injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atonic neurogenic bladder after August 28, 2012. The Veteran is satisfied with the current rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The case will be adjudicated again after the necessary actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder is not caused by or made worse by his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim of reopening his low back disorder service connection is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a Board hearing as per the April 2014 Remand.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, gastrointestinal, fatigue and respiratory disorders. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not related to his military service or his right ankle disability. His gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted effective October 28, 2009. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to multiple disabling conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, headaches disorder, and right hip disorder are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, back condition, and prostate cancer, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 6, 2010, to June 21, 2010, and since July 1, 2016. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met during these periods.