Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with disc degeneration is rated at 20 percent, effective April 16, 2009. The right knee and ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis was denied, as the evidence did not show motion limited to midway between the side and shoulder level or less. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine DJD was also denied.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has decided that the case needs to be returned for further development due to inadequate medical examinations and new evidence obtained after the latest examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to his National Guard service, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claim for both conditions is therefore granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and industrial background.

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

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his back disability was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 24, 2012.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent effective February 1, 2012. The reduction was proper as reexaminations disclosed improvement in his condition.

The Board has ordered the case remanded to the AOJ due to procedural issues, including a VLJ no longer being available. The Veteran is scheduled for a new hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether service connection for a low back disorder is warranted on a secondary basis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disorders, but the Board is remanding these cases due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and scar of the lumbar spine, status post surgery have been denied. The remaining claims have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and affording the Veteran a VA examination to assess her back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disability, back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and left leg disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the award of service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was set at June 22, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and headaches, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service, specifically an incident in November or December 1968 when he dove into a closed hatch and fell down stairs while serving on board the U.S.S. Ranger.