Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities are not related to his period of service. The low back disability is also not linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, hypertension, sarcoidosis, a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during or were caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and further development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examination and additional development of the record, including for an individual unemployability claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective June 17, 2014. The rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability is not shown to have caused ankylosis or prescribed bed rest for at least six weeks during any twelve month period on appeal, and therefore the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 17, 2010, based on his service-connected knee, back, and ankle disabilities.,The Veteran is not eligible for SMC at the housebound rate as he does not have additional service-connected disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain, mood disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a low back injury, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar myofasciitis and denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder. The Veteran's lumbar myofasciitis is found to be related to service, while his bilateral foot disorder is not.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, chronic maxillary sinusitis with chronic adenoiditis, and TBI residuals are all found to have their onset during service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear nature of the Veteran's psychiatric diagnosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and right hand fracture will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities based on continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability have been granted. The skin disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination of his lumbar spine condition and obtaining relevant medical records. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may be impacted by the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective November 14, 2014.,From December 4, 2015, the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1975 to 1976 and from 1987 to 1989. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after completion of this development.