Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for both issues prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced a stressor related to his military service and developed PTSD as a result.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability and an evaluation of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's National Guard service records and VA/Non-VA medical records. The claims for bilateral foot, right hip, and low back disabilities require remand for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened, but the Board found that new and material evidence was not received to substantiate his claims. The PTSD claim resulted in a rating of 50% prior to November 14, 2014, and 70% thereafter.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and left hip disabilities are related to his parachute jumps during active duty, which is considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for substitution purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, effective December 22, 2008. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent prior to April 5, 2015 and as 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his hearing preference and subsequent scheduling. The issues include rating adjustment, service connection claims, and reopening of previous claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The Veteran's current low back disorders are considered, and the issue is now on remand for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examinations and lack of opinions on certain issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of a right wrist fracture and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, psychiatric disorder, and right second toe/foot disability. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is caused by or the result of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with residuals, disk herniation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again with additional medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and workers compensation records. The case will be re-adjudicated after the additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and myalgia, is related to his period of active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's low back, bilateral hip and left knee disabilities are not service connected as they did not manifest in service or within one year of separation. The VA examiners found no evidence that the current conditions were caused by his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated at 40 percent based on limitation of motion.