Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee and low back disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for his right ankle fracture residuals with DJD, finding that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and traumatic brain injury (TBI), finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation from service. The weight of the evidence did not support a link between any current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and chronic lumbar strain with left lumbar radiculopathy are causally related to his service-connected left knee, foot, and ankle disabilities. As such, these conditions have been granted as secondary to those service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes at L5-S1 has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it does not meet the requirements for forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or neurological impairment, and the Veteran has not retained more than 30 degrees of forward flexion and 120 degrees of combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine throughout the appeal period. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for hip and bilateral ankle disorders.,There is no evidence of chronicity or underlying disease process in service. The Veteran's current hip and ankle conditions are not linked to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as his right ankle, left ankle, low back, and right hip disabilities. The case is also remanded to obtain updated treatment records and provide new VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not develop due to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 50%, which does not meet the threshold percentage requirements for TDIU. The appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to outstanding service treatment records from the Veteran's second period of active duty. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and related radiculopathy, as well as service connection for a left foot disability. The TDIU claim is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of TDIU and earlier effective dates are also being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.