Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated as noncompensable and later granted a 10 percent rating effective July 3, 2012. The Board found that the disability warranted a higher rating from July 3, 2012.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which he claims is related to back injuries sustained during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The main issue on appeal is whether he should be granted TDIU based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain supplemental VA medical opinions regarding his left eye disorder, left leg disorder, and back conditions.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine effective October 23, 2009. The claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was also granted.

The Veteran's current low back disability is related to the back problems he experienced during service, and therefore service connection for a low back disability has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The issues of increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and associated neurologic impairment are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his disability is not related to his military service or any service-connected condition. The issue of whether his disability was aggravated by his service-connected pes planus was also addressed and found less likely than not.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective March 1996. His right hip arthritis with radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent since June 1, 2006 and 10 percent for the period from September 23, 2002 to February 16, 2011. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, thus denying her claims for increased ratings. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 10 percent rating for service-connected Lyme disease was upheld.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability and a need for further examination. The issues of service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are also on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been found to aggravate his degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the right hip. Effective August 16, 2011, a 40 percent rating is granted for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted service connection based on continuous post-service symptoms of arthritis. The Veteran's history of low back pain since the 1981 injury in service is considered credible, leading to the conclusion that symptoms have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need to clarify the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his claims of secondary service connection for right knee and low back disorders, as well as a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.