Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's left hip disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is not etiologically related to his active service. The evidence does not establish a current left knee disorder.,The residuals of dental surgery during active service are not a disability for which the Veteran can receive compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain (claimed as low back pain) prior to April 28, 2014 is denied. The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s symptoms warranted a higher rating before this date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from September 13, 2013. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from September 13, 2013 to April 27, 2016. A TDIU is granted from the same date.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back condition and right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires remand for several issues, including right ear hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the left knee as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine L5-S1. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional examinations for his right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and dysthymic disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's service connection and increased evaluation claims are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective December 6, 2017. The rating was increased from a previous 20 percent prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims of secondary service connection for back and hip disabilities, as well as neck disability, have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic left knee below-joint amputation is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, including a reduction in rating and increased ratings. The appeal is also remanded for further examination and consideration of TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for neck injury, right ankle condition, sleep problems, and back disability due to lack of a causal nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board is remanding it due to lack of evidence. The psychiatric claims are also being remanded as new medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from March 30, 2011 to August 1, 2011 is denied as his schedular rating was already at 100% due to a temporary total disability rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his service, including parachute jumps.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine disability and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being examined again due to the presence of current evidence, conflicting opinions from Dr. T.L., and lack of rationale provided by the VA examiner. The left knee disability is also being examined again due to possible worsening since the last examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or aggravation since service discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for amputation of left index finger with re-attachment and residual scar, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for headaches was not addressed by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinions, as well as new medical evidence of record. The Veteran needs an additional VA examination to address her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected diffuse lumbar spondylosis and multi-level disc protrusion at L3-L4 are not manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes of IVDS with a total duration of at least six weeks during a 12-month period, so his rating remains at 40 percent.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was previously rated at 10 percent prior to February 16, 2016. Since that date, he is now rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.