Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic frontal sinusitis is granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to January 12, 2015 and denied any higher. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case is no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected left ankle DJD. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral degenerative disease, and bilateral pes planus. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran is service-connected for bilateral pes planus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and residuals of inguinal hernia. The combined evaluation is 50 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused her to resign from her job as a budget analyst on February 2, 2014. The Board granted TDIU beginning February 3, 2014.

The Veteran's effective date for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted as of April 26, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as the previous VA examination did not include testing on both active and passive motion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder and TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied in December 1999 and again on September 5, 2001. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at September 5, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was denied as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was also denied, as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to less than 135 degrees.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity condition (claimed as right leg, knee, ankle, and foot pain radiating from the low back), and hypertension have all been denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of chronic lumbar strain was denied. The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and lumbar spine osteoarthritis with IVDS have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD lumbosacral spine and TDIU were denied as the current evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder, lumbar spine disability, thoracic spine disability, urethral stricture, and ischemic optic neuropathy, are of sufficient severity to warrant entitlement to aid and attendance at the level described by 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and a statement of the case regarding severance of service connection.