Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent from January 15, 2007 to prior to February 23, 2009. From February 23, 2009, the rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective May 24, 2017. The left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 20 percent prior to September 12, 2012 and increased to 40 percent from September 12, 2012 to April 17, 2017. The rating is now set at 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left calf disability was initially rated at 40 percent prior to November 4, 2015 and increased to 60 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his myofascial pain syndrome with mild degenerative changes and mild disc bulges of the thoracolumbar spine was granted, but only to the extent that he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating available based on limitation of motion. No other issues were addressed in this decision.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability, headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, right hand disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, neuropathy, allergies, arthritis, or erectile dysfunction that were incurred in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed to have been incurred due to the lack of showing within one year post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric conditions and orthopedic issues, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that he requires this assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a higher evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service. The psychiatric disorder is also not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The sleep disorder claim is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right hip disabilities are not service connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any event of service. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities, including uveitis/iritis, glaucoma and left eye blindness are related to his military service. The examiner opined that stress and physical activity during service contributed to recurrent episodes of uveitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right elbow, upper back, and lower back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no clear medical evidence or testimony connecting any current back disability to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees without ankylosis, and no incapacitating episodes have been shown. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for cervical spine disability was granted as of January 7, 1999.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and the Board found that a higher rating to 100 percent is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability featuring degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically linked to his in-service back symptoms, injuries, and noted in-service degenerative changes. The decision is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar myofascial strain, spondylosis, and transitional L5 prior to July 20, 2012 and March 26, 2016 respectively.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service injury and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder was aggravated by active duty service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition.,His back disorder also developed during active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.