Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral knee, back, and pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a review by the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division and consideration of an extraschedular rating if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound was denied as there is no evidence of blindness, incapacity requiring care or assistance, or substantial confinement to his dwelling.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus of the left foot and a cervical/lumbar spine disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his service or service-connected right foot pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, chronic lumbar strains, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability, as he has reported an increase in its severity since his last examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise during his active duty service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine was denied. The effective date for the increased evaluation of the lumbar spine remains July 29, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted service connection. Service connection for left elbow, left shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disorders were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, testicular pain, chest pain (costochondritis), stomach pain, and headaches was also denied.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a new VA examination due to the possibility of worsening condition since the last examination in February 2011. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have radiculopathy of the right and left legs, nor did he meet the criteria for service connection. The claim for residuals of a low back disability was granted as it is considered direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including provision to the Veteran of a Statement of the Case on the issue of an initial compensable disability rating prior to January 26, 2011, and higher than 30 percent since January 26, 2011, for prostrating headaches. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for urinary tract infection and an acquired psychiatric disorder as well as entitlement to higher initial ratings for prostrating headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee DJD is related to his service, granting service connection.,Similarly, the Board determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD was also related to his service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for a new one with proper testing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to October 3, 2006, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has also remanded several issues, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.