Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a low back disability prior to March 5, 2013 was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective August 25, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for left knee instability from November 17, 2016 has been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 10%, 20%, and now 40% since July 26, 2007. The most recent rating decision granted a 40% disability rating effective April 24, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and DJD of the left knee have been denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that her current back disability is related to service, granting her entitlement to service connection for a back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background prior to August 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected mechanical low back pain and residuals of a bursectomy of the right ankle are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports, conflicting medical evidence regarding diagnoses, and need for clarification on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to her service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for TDIU, but she was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her employment history.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has not met the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent from January 3, 2005 to January 24, 2011 and a rating greater than 40 percent from January 25, 2011 to April 4, 2016. The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy has not met the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent from January 3, 2005 to May 31, 2012.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current knee, back, and shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot disability, low back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 8, 2006 to September 23, 2010.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and lumbar spine disability have been granted service connection, with the right knee disorder being secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The initial rating for his lumbar spondylosis has been increased to 20 percent prior to January 19, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain with DDD and IVDS disability most nearly approximates a 40 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the issues of cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability for further development. The Veteran's claims for digestive disorder, migraine headaches, and residuals of traumatic brain injury are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for status post left scapula fracture with supraspinatus tendonitis and entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability with referred pain and spasms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ring finger disability and a thoracolumbar spine (lower back) disability. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions, and there was no evidence linking them to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to an injury during active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the record.