Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims for DDD of the lumbar spine, right shoulder spurring, and chronic obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and finds that new evidence supports a finding of nexus between his in-service injury and current disability. The claims for tinnitus and hearing loss are also granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to his service. The Veteran's current conditions were not caused by or aggravated by any in-service event.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of asthma and TDIU issues. The DDD of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 20 percent; gastrointestinal disabilities at 10 percent; posttraumatic headaches at 50 percent; right shoulder impingement syndrome at 20 percent; and left knee disorder with medial collateral ligament strain at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined disability rating and a single 70% disability rating for his depressive disorder meet the eligibility criteria for TDIU. However, further clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all rated at their highest possible under VA regulations. The Board finds that these conditions meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating each.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the issues on appeal can be decided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and finds that he is entitled to service connection based on a pre-existing condition aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and nervous conditions are not related to his service, and therefore denied these claims. The hearing loss disability is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back, right ankle, and left heel disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, while her major depressive disorder is denied. The appeal is mixed as it includes both granted and denied issues.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease and back disorder have been granted service connection, but the effective dates for both conditions are set at January 3, 2008. The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his back disorder.,For Meniere's disease, a rating in excess of 60 percent has not been met as there were no attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 23, 2017. Effective from that date, the disability is rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection of his thoracolumbar, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his irritable bowel syndrome, right ulnar neuropathy, and low back pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and back disabilities are related to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability. The remaining claims of service connection for right hip, GERD, and skin disabilities are remanded as the Veteran has not been provided a VA examination to assess these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD with traumatic arthritis and chronic headaches are found to be related to his service, specifically as a paratrooper. Service connection is granted for these conditions.