Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's spouse is granted an effective date of August 29, 2006 for additional VA compensation benefits due to the Veteran being rated at a 30% or greater disability rate.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's representative indicating withdrawal of all current appeals.

The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied, and the cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder claims were granted as secondary to his service-connected epilepsy disability.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left hip condition, lumbar spine disability, or right hip condition. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's ddd of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent from May 31, 2006, forward. Service connection for bowel dysfunction and bladder dysfunction secondary to ddd of the lumbar spine is denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from May 31, 2006, forward.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and dismissed his appeal regarding his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, sarcoidosis, carpal tunnel syndrome (both upper extremities), and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and a sleep condition is dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radicular symptoms of paresthesias in both lower extremities, and major depressive disorder with psychotic features is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoraco-lumbar disc disease with degenerative changes had its onset in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of a pre-existing lumbar spondylosis condition, finding that active service aggravated this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include rating an initial claim for right clavicle fracture, service connection for left shoulder disorder, right knee strain, right hamstring disorder, left hamstring disorder, low back disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the initial rating decision and the need for further development regarding accrued benefits claims.

The Veteran's claims for traumatic arthritis of multiple joints and low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy, left shoulder disability, right hand disability (claimed as swollen right hand), left heel spur, TBI, and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo have also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right elbow and ear surgical scars, bilateral inner ear scars, bilateral hearing loss, left-hand ring finger disorder, left thigh disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left foot disorder have all been granted based on service connection being presumed due to in-service noise exposure, surgeries, and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, but denied his claims for service connection for right leg disorder, headaches, and seizure disorder. The claim for a back disorder is granted as new evidence supports its relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service connection claims, including a possible secondary service connection claim for his right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's posterior spinal fusion surgery resulted in the need for convalescence from October 29, 2012, through March 31, 2013. The Board granted a temporary total evaluation based on this need.