Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining information from SSA and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of evidence regarding convalescence periods. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate rating for lower extremity symptoms as they are related to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Board found no direct or secondary service connection for the Veteran's lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with arthritis and right leg disability.,The Veteran's right leg and low back disabilities are not considered to be related to his service-connected left pelvis fracture.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative changes, early Schmorl's nodes, and loss of normal lordosis. The claims to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, right leg, and brain trauma, to include tinnitus were also denied.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective February 15, 2011. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a Board video-conference hearing. He requested hearings on all issues listed in his appeals, including service connection claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, including associated radiculopathy, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from April 1, 2010 to September 10, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from a VA Medical Center and scheduling new examinations. The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU is also being considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left knee instability, lumbar strain, and arthritis of the knees, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during her periods of active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from August 30, 2006. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims for service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing request by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's headaches and back disorder are service-connected, with the headache disorder being granted based on new evidence from her private physician. The back disorder is not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 24, 2013 and increased to 70 percent effective October 24, 2013.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2013. The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease was initially rated at 20 percent prior to October 16, 2013 and increased to 40 percent effective October 16, 2013.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent. Right lower extremity radiculopathy remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain with arthropathy, necessitate the need for an automobile to accommodate his mobility limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and other undiagnosed illness-related symptoms, have been denied. The evidence does not support findings of an in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was granted with an effective date of August 17, 2000. The skin rash issue is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.