Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since September 10, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis was not manifested by flexion less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees from May 13, 2011. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, and no new or material evidence has been presented to reopen his claims. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis, and his initial rating for post traumatic arthritis of the right hip remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 10, 2010. The rating reflects that her range of motion was limited to greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees in flexion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations to assess the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not caused by or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as the evidence shows he is capable of performing a sedentary to light demand level of employment.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, effective from June 19, 2017.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. As such, entitlement to a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from March 31, 2016. The VA examiner found that the pain and limitation of motion do not result in additional functional loss.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to March 14, 2011 or a 40 percent evaluation on or after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits sought on appeal.