Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back disability and left knee disability are related to his service-connected right knee disability, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not shown to be otherwise directly related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the low back disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right hip and/or right thigh disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether the Veteran is requesting increased ratings or effective date changes.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 4, 2013.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent prior to September 19, 2013, and 20 percent on and after that date. The Veteran is also entitled to a staged rating for this disability.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for right and left knee disabilities or vision problems secondary to MS.,The Veteran's memory problems are considered as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis (MS).,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is rated at 20 percent each, effective March 4, 2013.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 4, 2013.,The reduction in the initial rating for seizures from 20 to 10 percent was proper and supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's left lower leg sensory paresthesias are rated at 20 percent, effective March 4, 2013.,The Veteran's service-connected MS is considered the primary cause for his seizures.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The issue must be further evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability from May 17, 2004 to February 4, 2006; a rating in excess of 20 percent from February 5, 2006 to February 4, 2007; or a rating in excess of 40 percent since February 5, 2007. The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurologic deficits of the right lower extremity was also denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy associated with his service-connected back disability is granted effective June 23, 2008.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left knee injury, hypertension, and residuals of frostbite of the left great toe. The Veteran's other claims were also addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine (back disorder), and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were previously denied but have been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by herniated discs and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, has been rated at 60 percent since November 1995. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right knee chondromalacia. The Board has ordered additional development as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbosacral strain, but denied service connection for bilateral knee and left shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including spinal stenosis, is being remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current low back disorders.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right upper extremity peripheral nerve dysfunction is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was reduced from 40% to 20% effective September 1, 2011. A separate 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, right elbow, and left elbow is secondary to his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The initial ratings for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 7, 2011, and 20 percent as of that date. The Board found the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.