Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his in-service injury and does not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and issues raised during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders originated during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine degenerative disease, with mild lumbar scoliosis and chronic thoracolumbar myofascial strain with pain disabilities did not manifest in service and are not related to any event or incident of his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to any injury, disease or event incurred during his active military service and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, but further development is needed to determine if his left foot neuroma is also service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected knee and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Army Reserve records and to provide addendum medical etiology opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a serious injury to the Veteran's back during service and concluded that his current low back disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's back and left leg disabilities have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, with a TDIU granted based on his service-connected conditions preventing him from securing or following gainful employment.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for left hip strain and sacroiliac sprain and lumbar strain, effective September 1, 2006. The appellant's left hip limitation of flexion and rotation have not resulted in compensable ratings.

The Veteran's chronic rhinitis, stress periostitis of both legs, and scoliosis have been rated based on their current manifestations.,The Veteran has not had nasal polyps throughout the appeal period. His range of knee motion is painful but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or demonstrated incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months requiring bed rest and treatment prescribed by a physician. Therefore, his claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities, as well as her back disability, are being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to ensure that all relevant records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and lumbar spine disorders are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current knee strain is not related to his service, but he does have a current diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. The issue of cervical spine disability due to service connection remains unresolved.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for award of a TDIU, and his disabilities are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.