Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for TBI, blurred vision secondary to TBI, headaches secondary to TBI, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, depressive disorder, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left leg nerve impairment are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous VA examination is required to properly assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and PTSD. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chronic low back pain and headaches are related to his in-service lumbar puncture. The claim will be reviewed again after additional medical examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the L5-S1 facet was granted service connection as it began during active duty. Service connection for high cholesterol, back disability (other than osteoarthritis), bilateral leg pain, arthritis of joints (bilateral legs), gout, left ear hearing loss, heart condition, hypertension, prostate disability, and depression were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The claim for TDIU is granted with the exception of the rating reduction for right knee osteoarthritis which is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and sciatica conditions are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity, as well as for the submission of income verification. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and credible statements regarding continuity of symptoms after service are sufficient to establish a link between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Graves' disease with exophthalmos, cataracts, and dry eyes (to include as secondary to service-connected tension headaches), presbyopia, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for low back disability was reopened, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied due to lack of aggravation during or as a result of military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The low back disability issue is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a back disability, neck disability, and left foot disorder, have rendered him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment from July 20, 2006, to February 23, 2016. The Board has therefore granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various musculoskeletal conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, heart condition, Parkinson’s disease, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a back condition, but denied service connection for pes planus.

The Veteran's back disorder, including degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain, is rated at 60 percent effective June 30, 2009. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective June 30, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, additional separate service connection for confusion, irritability, and/or sexual dysfunction, and TDIU. The evidence did not support a finding of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service or service-connected narcolepsy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened and granted. The appeal is also granted as to the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for his cervical spine disability, but TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that further medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's lower back conditions, specifically whether they are caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective March 12, 2019.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is rated at 40 percent, effective March 12, 2019. The earlier effective date for service connection of the neurogenic bladder is granted as May 3, 2006.