Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for surgical scars and service connection for mood disorder are remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate previous VA examinations. The Veteran's back, right knee, and sinus conditions need further examination.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for recurrent tinnitus was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of chronic tinnitus during service and noting that his symptoms are within normal experience.

The Veteran's bunions are not service-connected, and her low back pain is secondary to a service-connected right ankle fracture. The claims for sinusitis, hypertension, right hand numbness, bilateral flat feet, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been reopened but remain denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and low back disability were granted initial ratings of 70 percent from November 22, 1994 to June 8, 2005. A TDIU was also granted for the same period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners. The new examination must address whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome are rated at 40 percent since February 25, 2019. The rating is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period beginning March 31, 2003 to July 31, 2011. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and remanded the issues of reopening left ear hearing loss, service connection for Meniere’s disease, increase in rating for right ear hearing loss, and rating for lumbar spondylosis. The case is now pending with the VA to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, kidney disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined with the above issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except PTSD was dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran had been diagnosed with PTSD and supported by medical and lay evidence, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her lumbar spine disability, service connection for her bilateral eye disorder, and service connection for her bilateral foot disorder due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder but denied service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional information and evidence that needs to be obtained, including verification of any Reserve duty after discharge in 1976, Social Security Administration records, and medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding medical records. The issues of rating his cervical spine disorder and entitlement to a temporary total rating due to convalescence are also being remanded.