Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies were granted increased ratings. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for his low back disability and 10 percent each for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathies prior to April 23, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. A. � 1151 for a skin disability of the bilateral buttock due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or VA treatment. The rating for residuals of fractured jaw was also denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted and set at 20 percent prior to August 4, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is March 5, 1972. The Veteran's claim arose within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records, duty-to-assist issues, and inextricably intertwined claims. The Veteran's knee, hip, and back conditions are to be evaluated.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease lumbosacral spine with herniated disc pulposus L5-S1 is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 26, 2008. The Veteran has been granted a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 19, 2017. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for this condition in July 2017 and has not been awarded a higher rating.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is currently rated as non-compensable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for low back degenerative disk disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy and assigned a 10% initial rating. The hearing loss claim was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, neck disability, and low back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection should be granted. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his back, bilateral hip, and erectile dysfunction disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's chronic low back pain is related to his active military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain is service-connected, as it was initially incurred during active duty. The claim for depression will be remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine if there is any link between the Veteran's current mental health condition and his service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since December 20, 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran has been precluded from securing and following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Tinnitus is attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as intermittent thoracolumbar strain and lumbar degenerative disc disease with L4-5 herniated nucleus pulposis, was incurred during active duty service.