Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. Other service-connected disabilities are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's right hip avascular necrosis and hip replacement are being remanded for further development as secondary to his service-connected diabetes and low back disorder.

The Board has remanded seven issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's claim for skin condition is reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction were denied, with the effective date set at February 15, 2008.,There was no prior claim or indication of intent to apply for service connection for these conditions before February 15, 2008.

The Veteran's clothing allowances for 2015 are granted due to her use of a back brace and skin medication for her service-connected lumbosacral strain and dermatitis, which collectively wear or tear distinct types of article of clothing.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating and denied his request for an increased rating. For back and left knee disabilities, the appeal is remanded as there are insufficient in-service records to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a 40% rating from November 15, 2012 to March 9, 2016. His right knee disability received separate compensable ratings of 10% for flexion limitation and 20% for dislocated meniscus since June 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and requested a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is also being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, but the claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The appeal as to the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed. The appeals as to the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are granted due to new and material evidence being received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left knee disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions. The right knee disorder is also granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss has been denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, which currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD/DJD with IVDS was previously rated at 60 percent, but the RO reduced it to 10 percent effective March 13, 2012. The RO has now restored the 60 percent rating based on improvement in range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes of IVDS over time.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection is denied. The Board has found that a rating in excess of 10 percent for gout, left great toe and degenerative joint disease with gouty changes prior to March 24, 2016, and from March 24, 2016, but no higher, is warranted. Service connection for lumbar spine condition and sleep apnea are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lower back disabilities due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the requests to reopen claims of service connection for TBI, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, anxiety, anger management), and glaucoma. The evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's back condition was aggravated by his service-connected right knee and left leg amputation, thus granting service connection for a back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and an increased rating for his low back disorder. The effective dates for granting service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a headache condition were also denied.,The Board found that there was no medical evidence to support the Veteran’s claim of a left ankle condition being incurred in service.