Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure and pre-existing back condition respectively.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a seizure disorder. The claims for increased evaluation for right thumb disability, service connection for back disability, and service connection for depression are also remanded due to inextricability with the reopening of the seizure disorder claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis remains denied.

The Board previously granted SMC at the housebound rate from April 22, 2008 onward. However, due to a previous administrative decision discontinuing TDIU benefits, the RO did not implement this grant of SMC. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound, leading to a denial of special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with thoracic scoliosis is rated at 10% prior to February 12, 2014 and at 20% thereafter. The ratings for his right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability remain at 10%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, irritable bowel syndrome, and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to September 6, 2013 is granted. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to lack of in-service treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability. The Board found that her consistent statements and evidence of treatment during service, as well as post-service treatment, supported her assertion that she incurred this condition in service.

Low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Hearing loss is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

Service connection for cervical and lumbar spine DJD is granted.,Compensable rating for scrotal dermatitis is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability due to lack of medical evidence supporting the claim.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain, left achilles tendonitis, right third tarsal/metatarsal arthropathy, left shin splints, and right shin splints. The claims for increased evaluations are being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to incomplete testing in previous VA examinations. The effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy affecting the left and right lower extremities have also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left elbow injury, low back disability, left knee disability, and left wrist disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, bronchitis, scars and skin disfigurement, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The effective date is set at February 28, 2006, which is one year prior to when the Veteran submitted his request to reopen the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition, a rash on the right foot, and a left shoulder condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current left shoulder condition was aggravated by his service.