Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings were denied. The left knee DJD was rated at 10%, the left knee instability at 10%, and the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis at 40% prior to September 6, 2016, and at 50% thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and awarded an effective date of April 19, 2010 for the award of service connection for right foot neuritis (previously tarsal tunnel syndrome).,However, the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right foot neuritis is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.,Further development is required to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not comply with the May 2016 Remand directives and has ordered further development, including verifying periods of service and completing a chronological listing. VA examinations are also required to determine the etiology of the claimed right shoulder, back, right elbow, and respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Board finds that his low back disorder, bilateral hip disorders, and sciatic radulopathy may be related to his right foot residuals.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from August 1, 2007 to July 20, 2009 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. SMC for regular need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury, back disability, bilateral ankle disability, vertigo (claimed as dizziness), and respiratory condition are all denied.,There is no current evidence of a TBI or any other claimed disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment outside of a protected work environment, thus qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's scar, gunshot wound to right hand is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's gunshot wound right hand with painful/limited motion of the thumb is denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service aggravation of preexisting conditions.

The Veteran's back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted service connection. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, including a VA examination that did not address the July 2017 VA examination's findings for arthritis nor the July 2012 MRI results specifically.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a predecisional duty to assist error. A retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess the extent of his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities prior to February 13, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and a failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, spinal disorders, knee and foot disabilities, hepatitis C, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and shoulder and elbow conditions. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Veteran's left ear scar is granted service connection, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not related to military service.,Service connection for a stomach condition is denied. The VA examiner found no chronic stomach disability and opined that any current stomach condition is less likely than not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, pes planus, right wrist disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's pes planus was granted as related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain on an aggravation basis and denied a higher initial disability rating for PTSD with residuals of TBI.