Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected low back strain.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is related to his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown during active duty service, within one year of discharge, and are not related to service or toxic herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral joint syndromes were granted separate compensable ratings for painful limitation of motion due to arthritis. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD was granted a non-compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and neck disorders, including whether they are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease resulted in reduced range of motion prior to February 6, 2013, but not severe enough for ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome. Since then, the condition has been manifested by a combined range of motion of at least 130 degrees.,The Veteran's right leg nerve damage (sciatica) associated with his lumbar degenerative disc disease was initially rated as moderate incomplete paralysis since February 27, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and review of his treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and service connection for a cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative changes are due to an injury sustained during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disability that can be attributed to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her service-connected low back disability was denied. The RO reduced the rating from 10% to noncompensable effective July 12, 2003 and then reinstated it at 10% effective September 1, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating both the initial rating issue and the TDIU effective date issue.

The Board has remanded this claim for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's back disorder and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after all development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for another VA examination to address whether his back disability was aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back pain, did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 20, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including service treatment records from his active duty period from January 2010 to January 2012.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy, are being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the causation and aggravation aspects of service connection. The case will be re-adjudicated after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability required continued use of a wheelchair or crutches for 12 months after his January 2008 surgery, which was extended to January 31, 2009.