Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The combined effects of service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, chronic lumbosacral strain, and right knee disabilities do not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture that the available schedular ratings are inadequate for the period of August 27, 1991 through October 12, 2011.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the lumbar spine disorder, the VA examiner concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the left knee, right knee, neck, and lower back are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for his claimed back, bilateral hip, or left knee disabilities.,Therefore, service connection is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or event to which these conditions can be linked.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right and left knee strains, and bilateral hip strains are related to service. The Veteran's current foot disabilities (right metatarsalgia and left pes valgus, plantar fasciitis) are also found to be related to service.,The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, right hip strain, left hip strain, and right foot disability (metatarsalgia), as well as left foot disability (pes valgus and plantar fasciitis).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left foot neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are service-connected. The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability, separate ratings for the left foot and right leg conditions, and denied TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, to include as secondary to bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbar and thoracic sprains is found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, with pes planus being determined to have been aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right-sided sciatica and radiculitis, as well as his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with disc herniation. The evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to service.

For the period from May 7, 2013, your lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent disabling due to limited range of motion. A higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 10, 2010. From that date, the rating has been increased to 40 percent.

Service connection established for lower extremity radiculopathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression).,A 40 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder prior to September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 10 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder as of September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 60 percent rating was granted for the cardiac disorder prior to February 25, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disorders are related to his active service, including a car accident and football injury during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative joint disease and chronic low back pain, is service connected as it had its onset in active service.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a qualified physician to address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding abnormal gait caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for residuals of a back condition and found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding no medical evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from Social Security Administration.