Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 19, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and occupational impairment.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the highest rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA spine examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed neurological disabilities related to his cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent from May 18, 2010 to July 22, 2013 and November 1, 2013 to June 27, 2016. The RO denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's low back strain and determine the degree of functional loss during flare-ups. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The case is now pending further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8517 for incomplete paralysis of the minor nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was rated at 10% prior to May 11, 2016 and at 20% beginning May 11, 2016. The Board found that the current ratings were appropriate based on the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, diagnosed as thoracic and lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical spine strain, are related to her service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to her service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral pes planus, left and right knee disabilities, and low back disability have been denied. The highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes is already assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied claims for a chronic disability manifested by chest pains and a headache disorder. Service connection was also denied for a back disability as the Veteran's current condition is not shown to be directly related to his military service.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. Your claims for service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that the reduction in his lumbar stenosis rating was void ab initio, but did not find evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating under the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2014, and 40% thereafter. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were each rated as 10%. His PTSD was rated as 30%, and his left leg scar was not assigned a compensable rating.