Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by forward flexion limited to 60 degrees at worst and no ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, warrants a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for a left hand condition, bilateral upper extremities condition, or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent for the period beginning December 4, 2013. He was previously rated at 10 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's lower back disability was rated at 20 percent from January 23, 2008 to May 28, 2008. After that period, the rating remained at 20 percent until August 31, 2008 (post-surgery convalescence). The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent prior to December 7, 2009 and at 40 percent from December 7, 2009. TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including arthritis, is service-connected and rated as 0% (noncompensable).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his skin disability from May 16, 2009 to October 21, 2015 was rated as 30 percent. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been denied as there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current clinical findings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are etiologically related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, sciatic nerve impairment, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claim for residuals of a cold injury to the right hand is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to assess the severity of his hematochezia, etiology of his lumbar spine disability, and any right leg neurological disability. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and nerve impingement of the right leg are also being remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 20 percent rating, effective March 1, 2016. The ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities remain at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his military personnel records and clarify whether all of his Army National Guard service treatment records are in the file. A VA examination is also needed for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for post-operative degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The TDIU claim prior to June 2, 2009 is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as employment information from prior employers. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities will be evaluated by medical professionals.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to June 24, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his back and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and likely etiology of his low back disability and the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claims for right ear hearing loss, residuals of an allergic reaction to penicillin, and low back disability are being remanded for further development.