Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with increased ratings for various disabilities and a TDIU. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria to establish entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, or bilateral leg disability. The April 2009 rating decision denying service connection for a heart disability is final.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral plantar fasciitis are also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected osteoarthritis, left knee, and total left knee replacement. The low back disability claim remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, hand, knee, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, and the Board is dismissing the matter.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on symptoms such as pain and stiffness but without ankylosis or other severe functional impairment.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current low back disability, including consideration of lay assertions and service treatment records. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including arthritis and sacroiliac joint pain as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee condition, is pending.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective April 15, 2014. The decision also addressed claims for bilateral knee and ankle disorders but did not take action on them.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his back disability were granted at 20 percent effective from July 30, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation prior to this date.

The Board has found that the VA examination reports are deficient and requires additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle disorder. The claims for service connection will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions, as well as his bilateral knee injuries with chondromalacia, are currently rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings of 10 percent. The Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for neck and back disabilities prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's spine disability, effective December 4, 2013. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer is pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and his active service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to provide a clear opinion on this issue.