Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disability, but has determined that it is not granted as there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a new opinion based on full review of the record.

The Board found that the Veteran's gallbladder condition, pancreatitis, back disability, and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity in service for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a hearing loss disability, back disability, and skin disability. However, these claims are denied as there is no current disability found in VA compensation purposes.,For the left ankle and right thumb disabilities, the Veteran's claims have been denied as his current complaints do not correlate with any in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine and granted it. The remaining issues regarding secondary service connection and temporary total evaluation are pending further development.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the spine, is granted. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses for a left wrist disability, right wrist disability, or right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and low back disorder, as well as other issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, residuals of TBI, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPV), but denied service connection for hepatitis C. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is October 31, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's dysthymia and lumbar strain did not warrant ratings in excess of 70 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of newly submitted evidence. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to TDIU has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 40 percent disabling effective July 27, 2016. Prior to this date, a higher rating was not warranted.,For his TBI with post-concussive headaches, a separate 30 percent evaluation for migraines prior to July 27, 2016 is granted and no higher since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition, hair loss, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD are denied as there is no factual basis to award an earlier effective date prior to October 12, 2011.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lower back disorder but denied the claim as there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran contends his current lumbar disc disease is related to an in-service fall, but the VA examiner opined it was not due to or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran incurred such during active duty. The hearing loss issue is remanded and will be considered in conjunction with the TDIU issue.