Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service and that any current condition is more likely due to post-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as they are secondary to service-connected right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's outstanding medical records need to be obtained and reviewed by a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of thoracic spine strain is not related to his in-service injuries and that there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

This decision grants the Veteran's claims for an effective date of July 22, 2002 for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as for his back disability. The effective dates are granted based on credible lay testimony from the Veteran regarding when he began experiencing symptoms related to these conditions.,TDIU was also granted effective July 22, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability is granted, but the condition is not service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as it occurred during INACDUTRA and thus not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are found to be new and material evidence, indicating they may have onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to lack of recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied, and the case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to his back disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's request to reopen service connection for a back disorder is granted, and she is now entitled to a disability rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's request to reopen service connection for headaches is granted. She is currently receiving a 30 percent disability rating for her headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear periods of service and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, headache disorder, back disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral foot fungus due to new evidence received since the final June 2010 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, and left knee disability. The decision was based on a lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during active service or were otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The appeal is granted as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hip disorders are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted an increased rating to 70%. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his major depressive disorder, right knee disability, and back disability have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them. The issues of entitlement to a TDIU with an earlier effective date remain pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if any current neck disability is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a disability during service or related to an in-service injury.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's post-transplant diabetes mellitus was also found to be secondary to his heart disability.

The Veteran's combined rating is 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement for permanent and total disability to qualify his wife for CHAMPVA benefits.