Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to noise exposure during active duty. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's left hip disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease L4-5. His TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including depression. The service connection claim for depression was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of left ear hearing loss and denied his claim. For right ear hearing loss, the Board determined there is no evidence showing it meets VA's threshold requirements for a disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and determining whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The case is being remanded for a Board hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request. The initial rating claim and CUE issue in the 1970 decision are both under review.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the claim for a higher rating for epilepsy. The Board granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance (A&A) and SAH.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability, back disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted, with a current evaluation of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disorders. The claims will be reviewed after these opinions are obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The examiner opined that these conditions are less likely related to his service-connected left ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability or radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities that was incurred in service. The evidence shows no chronicity of symptoms during service and no indication of such conditions until many years after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves the recoupment of separation pay from his disability compensation payments. The case is being remanded for further review, including determining if any service-connected disabilities were compensable during his first period of service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral sacroiliac joint disability is at least in equipoise with her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and therefore grants service connection for a bilateral sacroiliac joint disability as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including healed fractures of the bilateral tibia and fibula, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee instability, and plantar fasciitis, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment as of July 23, 2011. The Board grants a TDIU starting from that date.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD. The claims for higher ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with spondylolisthesis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are granted.