Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, knee, and back disabilities have been granted. The initial disability rating for chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, and fractured nasal septum has also been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent for the period from October 15, 2010 to September 10, 2014.,Effective September 10, 2014, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it was incurred during active duty.,Regarding his dental condition, the case is remanded to obtain relevant post-service dental records and determine if he currently has any dental disability manifested by loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible, or soft tissue surrounding that region.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain with spondylosis was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine the appropriate disability rating for his cervical spine disability, including consideration of radiculopathy and other related conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause resulted in the inability to obtain evidence favorable to his claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies combined to at least a 60% evaluation prior to October 23, 2013. The Board granted restoration of the 50% evaluation for the low back disability effective from November 25, 2013, and denied all other issues.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection as secondary to his bilateral knee disability. His left shoulder disability remains at a 20% rating, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar myofascial strain, right hip and ankle disabilities that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's appeals on the issues of left knee, left ear hearing loss, and left ear tinnitus have been dismissed as withdrawn. The claim to reopen a back disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records from Sinai-Grace Hospital. A VA examination is also required to consider service connection on a direct or presumptive basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and arthritis are found to be related to his military service, while the neck and back disabilities are not.

The Veteran's appeals on reopening claims for low back, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip replacements and irritable colon, have significantly impacted his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether he can perform sedentary or office work due to these conditions.

The Board has ordered the VA to attempt to locate and associate with the claims file any private treatment records, including those from a Minneapolis VAMC. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and there is corroborating evidence of an in-service stressor. The low back disability claim remains pending as it relates to a period of active duty for training.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder labral tear, lumbar facet arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The Veteran's head injury residuals claim is denied.