Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for left foot disability, right foot disability, and low back disability. The cases are remanded to determine if these disabilities were aggravated by active duty training.

The claim for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The claim for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for muscle weakness, fibromyalgia, low back disability, joint problems (knees and ankles), inability to walk, and neck disability as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s hemorrhoid disability and low back disability are also granted with respective ratings. Other issues related to service connection or increased ratings have been remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back condition, right knee disorder, and scars associated with surgery for bilateral gynecomastia was denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and that there is no direct or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to assess the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and for consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent, and service connection for tinnitus is granted. The decision on the increased rating for low back strain was denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine surgery required convalescence until November 30, 2010. The Board granted an extension of a temporary total rating for this period.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, PTSD, and psychiatric disorder due to new evidence showing a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected migraines and bilateral plantar fasciitis. However, the claim remains pending as the merits of the secondary service connection have not been decided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration by the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities and inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for neck, left hip, and back disorders as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, and headaches have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent from July 27, 2006 through June 26, 2009 and at 20 percent since June 27, 2009. The Board has found the evidence does not support a higher rating for either period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for the left knee prior to November 2, 2012, and from January 1, 2014, is remanded. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, secondary to service-connected DDD of the cervical spine, is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), also secondary to service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar back disability and a left ankle disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's diplopia is granted as a symptom of her service-connected migraine headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.