Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to August 15, 2017. From August 15, 2017 onwards, the rating for his lumbar spine disorder remains at 20 percent. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating from October 8, 2014 to November 8, 2018 and denied any higher ratings. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating from October 8, 2014 to November 8, 2018.

The Veteran is granted annual clothing allowances for a back brace and left knee brace used due to service-connected disabilities, but the right knee brace is denied as there is no current service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran had current hearing loss and lumbar disability, but remanded for further development to determine if these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, sinus condition, and skin condition are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), PTSD, and cognitive disorder to include traumatic brain injury, not otherwise specified, have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD and erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back condition, but denied the claim as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral painful neuroma are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the appeals to reopen service connection for various conditions and denied claims of service connection due to lack of notification from the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lower back condition, and lung condition due to environmental hazards should be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his other disabilities also impacted his ability to work. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete STRs and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of the Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis and its relation to active duty or inactive duty training.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if VA provided prior authorization for the Veteran's chiropractic visits from April 30, 2015 through January 4, 2016. The Veteran contends he was not notified of a specific timeframe for his appointments.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals for several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has remanded three claims related to traumatic arthritis of the right hip, left shoulder, and lumbar spine due to inadequate examinations in the prior decision. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, back, and neck conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for residuals of complete teeth reconstruction and low back pain. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, undergo a VA examination, and have his claim reviewed.