Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for shoulder, back, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities as there were no current diagnoses of these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of her claim. Service connection for a low back disability is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a contracted 5th toe, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, vision loss, and skin cancer due to in-service sunlight exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the neurologic manifestations of the lumbar spine disability in both lower extremities from December 28, 2006 to June 17, 2007. The orthopedic manifestations were rated at 20 percent during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities due to incomplete examinations, lack of clarification from previous VA examiners, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 11, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their underlying spinal conditions. The current appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.,For the period prior to February 20, 2013, the Veteran’s lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Since then, both conditions have been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing medical records and an addendum opinion is needed to reconcile conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is granted service connection because it is presumed to have started during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has decided to remand several issues related to his knee disabilities, low back disability, thigh disability (characterized by pain), hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for status-post right elbow contusion. The Board also finds that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims regarding service connection for right knee condition, lower back condition, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and low back disorders are granted. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory problems and granted a 10 percent rating for tinea corporis. The remaining issues have been remanded due to inadequate development.

The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with canal stenosis is denied. The current evaluation of 40 percent, effective November 1, 2015, is found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing forward flexion not greater than 30 degrees and no ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to his back disorder and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and determined that his current back disabilities, including lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy, are associated with his active duty service. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher disability ratings were not met.

The Veteran's claim of a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The current 20% rating will remain in effect until further notice.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and levoscoliosis. Service connection is denied for a chronic rash.