Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical strain and arthritis of the lumbar spine are not rated higher than 10 percent. GERD is rated at 10 percent, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent prior to October 14, 2015. From that date, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia, varicose veins from March 29, 2016, and lumbosacral strain with sciatic radulopathy are rated appropriately. A TDIU is granted for disabilities since March 29, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for hypertension, low back disability, and ischemic heart disease are remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for migraine headaches and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding the right knee and another for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's records from Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center need to be obtained, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s bilateral hip disabilities are rated at 10 percent prior to October 6, 2016 and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating after that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2015 and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating thereafter.,All three conditions (DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip disabilities, and right knee disability) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right foot disorder have been granted as secondary to his service-connected left third metatarsal status post stress fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, fatigue, multi-joint and muscle pain, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or qualifying Persian Gulf Service.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete SSA records.

The Veteran's left hand disability is granted a 10% rating from February 8, 2018. The low back and neck disabilities are denied ratings in excess of 10%. The left knee and right ankle disabilities are also denied ratings in excess of 10%.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 26, 2017. The issue remains on appeal for a higher rating prior to that date.,TDIU was granted from August 2010 to prior to October 26, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for morbid obesity, including as due to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and rating for lumbosacral spine disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions of degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left knee DJD, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and major depressive disorder. The grants are based on these conditions being proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is denied as there is no objective medical evidence to support a diagnosis of bilateral SNHL.,For the period prior to January 11, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition was not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis; ankylosis; or doctor-prescribed bed rest. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,From January 11, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition was manifested by forward flexion of 30 degrees and did not require doctor-prescribed bed rest at any during this period. Thus, a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.,For the period prior to September 17, 2015, the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy was manifested by mild, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve of an entirely sensory nature. From September 17, 2015, it was manifested by moderate, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve of an entirely sensory nature. Therefore, a rating of 20 percent is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy from September 17, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to complaints of chronic back pain during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2013 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's herniated disc of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is granted service connection.