Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right wrist disorders are not related to his service, including National Guard service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a mood disorder, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right knee sprain/spurring. These conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.,Service connection is also established for these conditions as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be rendered regarding the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU. Specifically, new VA examinations are needed to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected low back strain and cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and remanded the issue of TDIU due to its inextricability with the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities. The Veteran must also be scheduled for a new examination before service connection can be decided on the merits for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been denied. The claim of service connection for a prostate condition has not been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, were granted. The specific ratings assigned are provided in the decision summary.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, a lumbar spine condition, a cervical spine condition, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (arms, shoulders, and fingers), and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's conditions are related to her time in military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing by live videoconference. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective July 10, 2013. Service connection for the back condition and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and adjudicatory documents. VA examinations are also needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's application for an annual clothing allowance was denied as the braces provided for his service-connected disabilities do not tend to wear or tear clothing, and the prescribed medication does not cause irreparable damage to outer garments.

The Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased rating for PUD, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for psychiatric disorders are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The conditions are considered secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide clarifying opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating prior to January 10, 2014. Service connection for cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity weakness were denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 40% disability rating for the lumbar spine condition effective August 29, 2016, and TDIU was granted from that date.