Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a back disability and its etiology. The examiner is also asked to provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed back disability was caused or aggravated by her service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 5, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is being remanded for further development and an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease or injury incurred during active duty and that any current back disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not due to events in active service or proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral strain (back disability) is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports and the need for clarification regarding flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the low back disability and arthritis of the bilateral hips.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to lack of pending claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral disc disease and arthritis are less likely related to service, including two motor vehicle accidents in 1983 and 1990. The VA examiners opined that these conditions were not caused by or related to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied nonservice-connected pension benefits. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the initial evaluation and effective date assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The claim to reopen was also denied, as the new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his lumbar or cervical spine, and therefore service connection is denied for these conditions.,Regarding the reduction of the rating for residuals of left ring finger fracture, the evidence shows no limitation in function due to the scar. The Veteran's hand grip strength is noted as decreased compared to the right hand.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and depression have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective May 26, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's other claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100.,The Veteran's lumbar disc disease with degeneration, disc protrusions, and degenerative joint disease was initially rated as noncompensable but has been increased to 20 percent effective April 6, 2012. The right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar disability is also rated at 40 percent effective July 27, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and accepted the Veteran's timely substantive appeal regarding earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities. The gastrointestinal claim is pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back disorders, including spondylosis and DDD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found no evidence that the current low back conditions are related to his service-connected foot disorders. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's combined rating was determined to be 90 percent, effective November 14, 2011. The Board found that the current ratings were accurate and an increased rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine and assigned a 20% evaluation, effective December 23, 2015. The Veteran's claim for right leg hamstring tendon harvest was also granted.