Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy were found to not warrant an increased evaluation prior to October 14, 2011. From that date onwards, the evaluations for both conditions remained at 10 percent and 20 percent respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence of complete paralysis or other signs of severe incomplete paralysis. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his active service and denied his claims for service connection for a back disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew her claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for thoracolumbar spine syringomyelia, with neurological manifestations of the femoral peroneal nerves, erythema and bunion of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, head injury residuals, right hip, left hip, and cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was granted prior to January 11, 2017. Since then, the issue of a higher rating has been denied.,For his spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, the Veteran's claim remains denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not constitute an employment handicap as defined by VA regulations, and he is therefore not eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as the evidence did not establish that his current back disability had its clinical onset during his military service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to attend a previously scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for scheduling an in-person hearing before a local regional office.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left ring finger disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is therefore denied.,Prior to November 23, 2016, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was manifested by mild occupational and social impairment with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, sleep difficulties, fatigue, low energy and motivation, which were controlled by continuous medication. Effective from November 23, 2016, her psychiatric disorder has been productive of moderate to severe social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 20 percent since April 10, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as well as his requests to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50 percent since July 24, 2014. His skin disorder is rated at 60 percent as of September 23, 2016. The Board granted the requested increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication, as the AOJ did not grant service connection or issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The conditions are considered to have been caused by non-service-related factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as the current VA examination is inadequate.