Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU. The remand is due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of proper notice regarding TDIU, and need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since at least February 8, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of February 8, 2007 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claim of service connection for a low back condition secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus (secondary to PTSD), hypertension (secondary to PTSD), asthma, and a right foot disability were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left ankle fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective July 31, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective March 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 26, 2014 was also granted.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 26, 2013. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms and findings during this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim is also deferred until further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.,Specifically, the Veteran’s left wrist fracture with residual sprain does not show ankylosis. His lumbar spine disability is not manifested by ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The right knee and left knee degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease are rated at 10% each.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted an evaluation of 20 percent effective April 26, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbosacranal spine is granted. The claim for TDIU is also granted, effective March 1, 2013.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain and related right sciatic nerve impairment are granted a 20% disability rating, effective from May 9, 2014. The left sciatic nerve is granted a 10% disability rating as of March 13, 2018. TDIU remains remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The award of VA disability compensation for the service-connected MS, evaluated at 30 percent disabling, is restored. The claim for entitlement to service connection for a lumbar strain, status post lumbar surgery with scarring and status post cervical surgery with scarring, claimed as spinal stenosis and DDD, is reopened.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The issue of service connection for left leg numbness is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and records. The issues of service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his service in Bosnia. His lower back disability is also related to his service, as is his left knee disability.

The Veteran's low back strain is granted as secondary to his service-connected right hip muscular strain.,There is no current diagnosis of arthritis or bursitis in the right heel. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to a diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various spine and joint disorders, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. The case is sent back to VA for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability (flat feet and plantar fasciitis), and psoriasis due to new evidence obtained after the March 2009 rating decision. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low testosterone, allergic rhinitis, and minimal lumbar spondylosis/thoracic back strain without radicular disease due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.