Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by subjective complaints of pain and limitation of motion; objective findings do not include unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes lasting at least six weeks during any 12-month period. Therefore, a rating higher than 40 percent is not warranted.,The Veteran's left leg DVT disability was manifested by persistent edema and stasis pigmentation but no persistent ulceration. A rating of 20% is granted.

The Veteran's scoliosis was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no current disability of a low back disorder other than scoliosis.,There is no evidence of right ear hearing loss that meets VA criteria for a disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in the mental and physical acts of employment prior to January 5, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative residuals of a left sacral myxoma is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected amputation, below the left knee with left hip bone replacement. The issue of an increased disability rating for chronic low back pain associated with amputation remains under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension and kidney disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and low back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar strain, neck disability, and right ankle disability are pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbar spine disability, which she contends is related to her service-connected hip disabilities. The Board finds that further development is necessary due to incomplete examination and needs to address the nature of the low back disability and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and right ear hearing loss were not caused by his in-service injury, disease, or event. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his back disability and determine if there are any flare-ups that affect his range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD) and reopened the claims of service connection for a left knee disability. The bilateral knees and feet are being remanded to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating, TDIU, and extension of temporary total rating based on convalescence following low back surgery was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or TDIU due to her service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, also claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a mid-back condition, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from SSA and VA.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to August 7, 2015, and 40 percent thereafter. His peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disorders. The case will be returned to the AOJ after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 7, 2010. The combined rating was less than 70% and none of her conditions were rated at 60%. She worked through 2009 and had limitations due to her disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the reopening of service connection for back, right lower extremity, and right foot disorders. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from October 14, 2011 have also been withdrawn.