Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD, migraines, GERD, thoracic strain (low back disability), and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for a right knee disability and inguinal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome and benign positional vertigo, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, schedule examinations for the severity of these conditions, and consider the impact on employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluation of scoliosis and lumbar stenosis, as well as earlier effective date for service connection. The Board dismissed these issues due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of May 16, 2008. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability since at least May 16, 2008.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal from this issue. The other issues were remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a head disability, an insect bite, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for reopening of the right ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability are denied. The case is remanded for further examination regarding bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2013 and increased to 20 percent since then.,The Veteran's left knee condition has been rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for his right foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back pain and bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The application to reopen the claims for back disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied.,The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the appeals are granted to this extent. Service connection is established for urinary incontinence as being proximately due to service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and arm strain, lumbosacral strain, mood disorder, and bilateral flat feet as well as his claim of an earlier effective date. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, finding no legal entitlement to such dates based on lack of factual ascertainability within one year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued back and left knee braces is causing wear on distinct types of clothing, warranting annual clothing allowances for 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and back disorder. The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol abuse is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left hip, and right hip disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for PTSD and depression is granted, with the stressor of military sexual trauma (MST) being accepted based on corroborating evidence from other sources. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the spine is granted at a 20 percent rating effective May 14, 2014.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted prior to August 30, 2010, due to his service-connected disabilities. From that date onwards, the SMC award mooted any further TDIU claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension, and an increased rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to potential issues with the evidence provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, which he claims was caused by his military service. However, there are no probative medical opinions linking the current condition to his service.