Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and peripheral neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 1, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee replacements, lumbar degenerative disc disease, plantar fasciitis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted effective October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's back disability has increased in severity since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's paraspinal lumbar spasms are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and low back conditions, but has remanded the issue of service connection for neck condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination scheduled in April 2018. The examiner will be asked to determine if any spine disability is related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, back disability, bilateral hip disability, left leg disability, and bilateral ankle disability as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,There are no post-service medical records showing the Veteran sustained any injuries to his neck, back, hips, legs, or ankles during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her low back disability was denied, and she is currently rated at 40% for the period beginning October 7, 2014. The left lower extremity radiculopathy remains separately service-connected but continues to be evaluated under the same criteria as the low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a supplemental VA opinion to address his in-service back injuries and current condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a low back disorder, including lumbar stenosis and degeneration. The decision is based on new evidence submitted since the original denial in 1969.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, neck disorder, left and right hip disorders, and lumbar DJD with sclerosis. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral knee disabilities including as secondary to the service-connected left pes planus disability, rating higher than 20 percent for left pes planus, grade II, with heel spur, and TDIU due to service-connected disability are remanded.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further examination regarding a back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly their relationship to his service-connected severe right shoulder bony ankylosis.

The Veteran's mild facet arthropathy (claimed as low back injury) and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, left knee replacement, right knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are denied service connection.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, osteoporosis, and degenerative disc disease as there is no probative medical evidence of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral total knee replacement and lumbosacral strain have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since March 1, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 20% rating, effective October 5, 2010. Initial ratings for left and right hip disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for hypothyroidism was dismissed. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and lumbar degenerative disc disease were granted, but the issue of right leg radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disability from September 16, 2013 to March 23, 2015.