Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 70%, fracture of the left elbow rated at 10%, and degenerative arthritis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar spine rated at 10%, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 8, 2016 was granted. The effective date of the TDIU is set at January 31, 2011 as this is when the Veteran first became eligible for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders, as well as his claim for right knee disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims, and that a right knee disability was not incurred in or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, insomnia, and a neuropsychiatric disorder as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection was denied because there is no credible evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he is not shown to be bedridden, permanently housebound, in a nursing home, or helpless due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and back disability due to inadequate examinations, requiring new evaluations.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Appellant's current symptoms are not shown to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 20% evaluation effective November 30, 1998. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 7, 2016. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition prior to that date.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as she does not have a current disability that meets the VA criteria for hearing loss. The claims for service connection for vertigo, shoulder disability, and back disability are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibroids disability was not caused or aggravated by military service and denied her claim for service connection. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current back disabilities and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to deficiencies in previous opinions and need for clarification on service connection determinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a DRO hearing. The Veteran's appeal remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and a back condition, with the latter being secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for syphilis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment and the absence of post-service medical records linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability resulted in significant functional impairment, including limited range of motion and chronic pain, warranting a 40 percent rating from April 24, 2007 to October 25, 2015.

The Veteran's scars have been evaluated under the criteria prior to October 23, 2008. The Board has determined that he is not entitled to a compensable rating based on his scars due to insufficient area or lack of limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found that there was no nexus between any current back disorder and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that it is not related to his in-service complaints and is more likely due to post-service factors.