Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 7, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited forward flexion and no muscle spasm or guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to his service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and conducting a new examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted a 40% rating from November 30, 2009. The effective date is set to November 30, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral eye glaucoma is granted as service connected. The extension of a temporary total rating for back disability is granted until June 30, 2016. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and additional evidence is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts and denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity and functional impairment. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions, particularly his heart and liver disorders which are believed to be related to a viral illness in April 1973 during active duty. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and schedule appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease (DDD), is found to be related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent disability rating for his degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine starting from August 1, 2014. Prior to that date, he was not entitled to any higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disorder and denied the claim on the merits.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective September 1, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder. Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus and back disorder as secondary to bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,For sinusitis, the Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent from May 2, 2014 through February 9, 2016. The claim remains remanded as further evidence and clarification are needed.