Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected. The Board found the medical evidence insufficient to establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disc herniation and associated radiculopathy are currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 29, 2016. His hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain.

The Board has ordered further development due to the inadequacy of an August 2017 opinion and potential outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's meralgia paresthetica is being evaluated for its relationship to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and/or service-connected lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his VA benefit payments.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 40 percent since December 2, 2013. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA records and the need for a medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to military noise exposure. The Board also finds that service connection for a bilateral foot disability, neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities secondary to cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pituitary gland disorder, headache disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran is also granted a temporary 100 percent rating for PTSD from July 27, 2009 to September 30, 2009, and TDIU effective April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spondylosis is found to have had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, and migraines are found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of PTSD and degenerative changes, lumbar spine with right side sciatica.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as there are no remaining issues for review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last adjudication, and the Veteran's representative submitted additional private treatment records without waiving review by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that additional service treatment records are needed to determine the Veteran's back disorders and mercury exposure claims. The nasal fracture claim will be remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the claims of service connection for a disability claimed as weight loss and weight gain, and increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction, and a lumbar spine scar. The Board granted higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (prior to December 12, 2012) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (from June 11, 2014 onwards).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a statement of the case on his claim for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his active service or any incident therein.