Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar myositis and degenerative spine disease are rated at 20 percent prior to July 15, 2015, and 20 percent thereafter. The claim is granted for a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis, right hip and knee conditions, and a reduction in the rating of his lumbar spine disability have been granted. The right knee condition is now considered secondary to his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period. Service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been reopened, and it is granted. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a back condition as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and head injuries due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disabilities is dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lower back disability was evaluated at a 10% rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and bilateral shoulder disabilities.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to outstanding VA medical records and an additional VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and a chest pain condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board found no error in the June 2009 rating decision's calculation of the combined total rating of 60 percent and denied the Veteran's claim for a higher combined rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim. However, the Board concluded that there was no nexus between the current low back disability and service, as well as no compensable disability within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination for his lumbar spine disability and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and bilateral hip disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his adjustment disorder with depressed mood is not related to service. The claim for a back disorder is remanded as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's back injury in service was acute and resolved, and there is no evidence of a chronic low back disability. The current low back disability is not related to his service or any events therein. For right ear hearing loss, the VA examiner opined it is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lower back condition is related to his active service, including an alleged fall from an F-15 aircraft while stationed at McClellan Airforce Base.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to June 5, 2017. A 100 percent rating for PTSD was awarded from June 5, 2017.,Service connection for right and left knee meniscal tears, hypertension, sleep apnea, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder were denied.