Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claims for increased ratings for right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, as well as further development of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left foot plantar fasciitis is granted, and his service connection claims for low back disability and left knee disability are granted. The claim for service connection for left foot numbness remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent effective October 9, 2001. The RO later increased the rating to 40 percent effective June 20, 2011.,Service connection for dysautonomia was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and a low back disability, but denied service connection for heart arrhythmia. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's application for individual unemployability benefits has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left hand and right hand, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot and left foot, and degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's cervical strain with traumatic arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable rating criteria. The remaining conditions have either not been granted or are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence and need for clarification on the Veteran's claims, as well as a need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was awarded a TDIU rating effective from April 30, 2004 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of April 30, 2003 is granted as he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability. However, the preponderance of evidence is against these claims as they are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in the right ear are not related to service. The Board also determined that spina bifida is a congenital defect and therefore not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, as it had onset during his period of active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and lung disabilities have been dismissed due to lack of specific error of fact or law.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with the exception of his heart condition claim which is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records from SSA.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran's low back, right hip, and bilateral ankle disorders are not directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new spine examination. The Veteran's claim is not decided yet.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but the Veteran's claim for a back disability remains pending. The decision on the back disability will be remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back condition that manifests as hip pain. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.