Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent based on recurrent instability, and a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of flexion due to pain. The lumbosacral spine disability is also rated at 20 percent. No higher ratings are warranted as the evidence does not support ankylosis or severe forward flexion limitations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability is related to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss or total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD, but granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 9, 2010, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine was found to have its onset during service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and determining whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with lumbar spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) having a total duration of at least six weeks during a twelve-month period.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolisthesis, is being remanded due to inadequate development. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing any diagnosed low back disabilities during the pendency of the appeal, considering the lay and medical evidence in the file.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current symptomatology and associated functional loss or impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and examination. The issues of service connection for back disability and right knee disability are still pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of service connection for back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 28, 2009 for the awards of separate, compensable ratings for his service-connected disabilities. A TDIU is also granted effective from that same date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to his service-connected recurrent pilonidal cyst, and thus does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection. The other issues have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain with nerve impingement to the L4-L5 L5-S1 dermatome in the right tibial region and primary sensory polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's low back disability, which was initially granted service connection in July 2012 and rated at 10 percent prior to April 18, 2014, is now evaluated as 20 percent disabling for the period prior to April 18, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted service connection. The Veteran also has been granted service connection for depression and bilateral knee arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbar disc disease, depressive disorder, and bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more current examination of her service-connected bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as consideration of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not show entitlement to a higher rating for either condition.