Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from April 11, 2006 to April 18, 2016. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The main reasons for this are incomplete development of records from prior periods of active service and additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, as there is evidence suggesting a material worsening since his last VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for migraine headaches and lower back disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.,For the TTR claim, the Board found that service connection had not been established for the left knee disorder, thus denying the claim.

The Board has remanded four claims for service connection due to the need for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for tinnitus and nonservice-connected pension, and has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and eye problems, make it impossible for him to work as a commercial electrician. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, plantar fasciitis, chronic headache disorder, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and low back disorder are all granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability was denied, with a current rating of 40 percent effective September 23, 2014. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent prior to September 23, 2014 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran was denied TDIU due to lack of disagreement with the effective date assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to inextricably intertwined issues with the remanded bilateral knee claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand condition, low back condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy began during his active service and is related to his lumbar spine disability. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to TDIU has also been denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating a right elbow condition, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for shoulder surgery and memory loss/mental defect, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disease (claimed as scoliosis). The decision also noted that the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a heart disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the following issues: whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that his current back problems began during or were caused by his active duty service.