Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and rated at 10 percent. The left leg disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher rating warranted due to the absence of instability or other significant functional loss. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and left hip disabilities are not related to service.,Hypertension is also not found to be related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 1, 2008, for the grant of separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted. Effective from November 1, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was also not exhibited within the first post-service year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back degenerative changes are due to injuries sustained during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the nature of any current complaints related to the Veteran's back disability, as well as whether any neurological complaints prior to August 19, 2011 were proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral shoulder condition, and right knee condition. These conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back arthritis as being proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The issues of service connection for a mental disorder (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities) and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with arthritis and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy as secondary to service-connected low back strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional private medical records and further development of the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including degenerative joint disease (arthritis), degenerative disc disease, and levoscoliosis, were not incurred in active service. The evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show a preexisting condition at entry to service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder had its onset in service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met. The low back disorder is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, service connection, and benefits related to various conditions. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development of Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2010. The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective from that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his period of service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide a comprehensive VA orthopedic examination. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since January 25, 2011.,Effective January 25, 2011, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Effective April 27, 2012, he is entitled to a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.