Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a bilateral knee disorder were all denied. The Veteran was not granted any initial evaluations or service connections.

The Veteran's hypertension was first manifest during active duty and the Board has determined that it had causal origins in service. The low back disability, sleep apnea, and lower respiratory disability are not currently decided.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional staged ratings granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome and bursitis, is not related to his period of active military service. The lumbar spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The neurological impairment has been found to be no more than slight before March 1, 2013, and moderate thereafter. The right hip disability is also rated at 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent for instability after March 1, 2013. The left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's right elbow disability has been found to warrant an increased rating of 10 percent. Finally, the plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that neither a current neck disorder nor a current back disorder began during service or is related to service in any other way.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections, left hip disability, right foot tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's Peyronie's disease. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to require extraschedular referral for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain was found to be manifested by limited motion, pain, and weakness. The VA determined that the current rating of 40 percent for his condition as of August 20, 2013, is appropriate.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 60 percent since March 9, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address her lumbar spine disability and bronchial asthma with BOOP.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient explanation of why a medical examination was unnecessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to an inadequate VA medical opinion in a previous decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on inservice sexual assault.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) beginning October 20, 2014 is denied as there are no allegations or evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the severity of her right foot and ankle disabilities. The case will also be reviewed to determine if she meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU or if it should be submitted to the Director of Compensation Service under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has reopened and granted the service connection claims for low back disability, residuals of head trauma, and seizure disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.