Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, hip and knee disabilities, and EDS of the right hand were evaluated. The appeals for higher ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for increased evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The cervical spine condition remains rated at 10 percent.,Propriety of separate ratings for radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities has been addressed as part of the initial rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical and lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examination report, and new medical opinions are required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the claims for increased ratings are granted. The right hip and left hip disabilities as residuals of pelvic fractures are each rated at 10 percent. The fracture of the seventh and eighth ribs is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent since December 8, 2008. His PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are both rated appropriately.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and bilateral knee disability are found to be service-connected as they are proximately due to his service-connected right ankle and foot disabilities. Effective July 18, 2006, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, stomach disability (diverticulitis), and bilateral foot disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar strain, and cervical strain. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected low back disability, including a new VA examination and the provision of any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine his periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, and to schedule him for a VA examination to evaluate the relationship between any current disabilities (lumbar spine disability, chronic pain, and/or depression) and his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the completion of these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, is not related to disease or injury incurred during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee condition. Service connection for a back condition on secondary basis has been granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be directly related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a higher rating for lumbar spine disability remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.