Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right ankle disability during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current right ankle arthritis does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for additional medical examinations to address her bilateral pes planus, shin splints/pain, lower back disorder, right hip degenerative joint disease, and left hip degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected back disability, which renders him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and found that new and material evidence was received. The Board then determined that service connection is not warranted as there is no causal relationship between the in-service injury and the current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective October 2015. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, thus dismissing the case.

The Veteran's recurrent lumbar degenerative disc disease and arthritis are found to have originated during active service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the right knee, thigh, and buttocks have been granted initial compensable ratings. Service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine has also been established.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the range of motion findings and the need for a more comprehensive examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or during the first post-service year. The most probative medical evidence did not support a link between his current low back disability and his military service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is not productive of more than mild incomplete paralysis, and therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's back disability, which includes low back strain and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity, has been rated at 20 percent since April 2009. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions and granted them as new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders, including as secondary to a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are not related to his active service, including any combat injuries he suffered. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 2003, leading to the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective August 13, 2003.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 14, 2009. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to separate ratings of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to his in-service injury. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service or any service-connected disabilities, and thus denied his claim for service connection.