Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective January 7, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Board denied an extension of a temporary total rating for treatment requiring convalescence due to service-connected back injury with arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosac spine. The evidence did not meet the criteria for extending the rating beyond October 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as herniated disc with radiculopathy and lumbar spondylosis, is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar stenosis is service connected as it was incurred during his active duty due to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder injury. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to December 9, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD and instead diagnosed him with Major Depressive Disorder. Appeals for increased ratings for other conditions were also addressed, but are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS with mild scoliosis warrants a 20 percent rating effective from April 2, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities and a disorder of the lumbar spine are granted, with the condition being related to his periods of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and further review of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination with retrospective and current medical opinions regarding his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's disability rating for mechanical lumbar syndrome with recurrent lumbar strain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to July 6, 2017 and as of that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease, chronic lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis of the lumbar spine are related to his in-service injuries. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found the evidence against a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected lumbar spine DDD and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from November 25, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back strain is related to active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities and his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.