Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right shoulder disability, service connection for low back disability, stomach disability, bilateral knee disability, and dental problems were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service injuries or disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lower back disorder, which he claims was caused by an in-service injury while fueling an airplane. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his lower back disorder.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service, but the bilateral knee and foot conditions may not be. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also related to service.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type with psychotic symptoms) that likely had its onset during or is otherwise related to his period of active duty from 1973 to 1979.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scoliosis of the lumbar spine was aggravated by his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the current nature and etiology of his claimed cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and bilateral leg disabilities are not related to service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board found that the appellant's current lumbar spine disability is not causally related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a back condition. The Veteran now has diagnosed conditions that are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as there was no qualifying back brace or topical medication that caused damage to his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to assess the Veteran's disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inaccurate medical history and inadequate VA opinion. The appellant should be provided with another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development on issues including service connection for a low back disability, increased ratings for knee and ankle disabilities, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent prior to February 11, 2010 and from February 4, 2016 forward. From February 11, 2010 to February 3, 2016, the Veteran's back disability warranted a 20 percent rating. The criteria for TDIU have been met during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders have been granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 20 percent rating effective November 1, 2012. The low back disorder claim was withdrawn prior to January 9, 2012.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, status post L4-5 lumbar laminectomy since March 16, 2017. The claim was previously denied in January 2015 and remanded by the Board.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability prior to February 25, 2010.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise with the claim as to whether the Veteran's current disability of degenerative changes in the lumbosacral spine at L4-L5 is related to service. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and scheduling issues, and will consider referral of TDIU prior to March 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claims were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee instability.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including DDD and DJD, is considered to have had its onset during his active military service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for this condition.