Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions were denied. A 20% rating was granted for bladder dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is related to her active service and granted service connection for this condition. The cervical spine and right leg disabilities are remanded due to missing records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but further evidence is needed to establish its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosed condition and concluding that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20% prior to February 5, 2015 and at 40% thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed insufficient to determine if he is unemployable. A new examination and updated VA treatment records are needed to assess the cumulative effect of his conditions on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and hammer toes. The appeal regarding the hammer toes condition is remanded to obtain an updated VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The appeal regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board also referred the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 8, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and left leg sciatica were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective January 5, 2015.

The Veteran's low back condition was rated at 10 percent prior to May 3, 2018 and increased to 20 percent since that date. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse), and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right elbow, and low back disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with thoracolumbar spondylosis and scoliosis, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbar strain and related conditions are rated at 20 percent, but the appeal is denied as there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis or IVDS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate examination in March 2013. The issues will require further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right shoulder and arm injury is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a back disability, as well as the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.