Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, effective January 1, 2014. The appeal regarding service connection for a sinus disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service fall, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability, including lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left carpel tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were not caused or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition resulted in limited or painful motion prior to April 6, 2012, warranting a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's low back condition resulted in limited or painful motion prior to March 10, 2008, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions and the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and back disability did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40%.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed hip, spine, and polyneuropathy disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying qualifying periods of service and obtaining all pertinent records. The appellant's low back disability is being evaluated based on his military service.

The Veteran's low-back disability was granted a 10 percent rating effective June 12, 2008. The Veteran appealed for higher ratings and the RO increased his rating to 20 percent effective September 1, 2009. He continued to appeal for higher ratings on other issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. His residuals of right distal fibula fracture were rated at 10 percent, his left knee disability was not found to be secondary to the service-connected condition, his low back disability was determined not to have been incurred in the line of duty, his scar to stomach and side was deemed not incurred in the line of duty, his facial scars were also deemed not incurred in the line of duty, his right arm disability was denied as not having been incurred in active service, and his head injury was denied. The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for facial scarring was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to recent worsening of his lumbar spine and right lower extremity conditions, requiring new VA examinations. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and a left knee condition, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder), left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence supports that these conditions began in active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and right hand bone spur, finding no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of merit.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the February 2012 and August 2013 VA examinations are inadequate, as they did not consider the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service parachute jumps. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and consideration of all theories of entitlement.