Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more or systolic blood pressure predominantly 160 or more and the medical evidence shows that it has otherwise been controlled with medication.,There is no competent medical evidence to show that the Veteran’s headaches were caused by active service. The Board does not discern a direct causal relationship between her headaches and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between current low back issues and service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, and skin disabilities. The low back disability is presumed related to service due to continuity of symptoms since service. The neck disability is presumed related to service as arthritis developed during the first post-service year. The skin disability is presumed related to service as a fungal infection affecting hands in service persisted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and has reopened his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The issue of remanding for further development regarding the low back disability is noted.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his acquired psychiatric disorder and skin disorders. The claims of back disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, cold injury residuals in the upper thigh area, and pediculosis pubis have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis of the knees and a back disability have been reopened, but denied on their merits. The claim for skin disease of the face has also been reopened, but denied on its merits.,The Veteran's laceration scar of the left lower leg remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with loss of lumbar lordosis is denied. The claims for service connection for neck disorder, seizures, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. A TDIU is granted beginning no later than August 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder and peripheral nerve disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left transverse distal femur fracture residuals. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), service connection for an acquired mental disorder, a rating in excess of 30 percent for Meniere’s disease, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to evidence suggesting a material worsening of the Veteran's conditions since his last VA examinations in September 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service or service-connected pes planus.,The Board reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbosacral spine and maxillary sinusitis disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's scars from his lumbar spine surgeries are well-healed and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the period prior to August 9, 2017, the Veteran’s depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.,Starting from August 9, 2017, the Veteran's depressive disorder warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.,The effective date for service connection for depressive disorder is March 4, 2015. The Veteran has not provided evidence of an earlier claim or intent to apply for benefits prior to this date.,For the period prior to August 9, 2017, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic low back pain and chronic right ankle pain, finding that these conditions began during service and are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted, including for sleep disorder, chronic fatigue, dermatitis, hernia, low back disability, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The issues are related to reopening previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right eye impairment, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and lumbar spine spondylosis, status post surgeries due to procedural issues with the March 2009 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back degenerative disc disease, left ankle arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was granted a 20% rating effective April 17, 2017. Prior to that date, the condition warranted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for left knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded.