Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the reduction in disability evaluation for lumbar spine disability from 40% to 20% was proper and denied an increased rating for anxiety disorder. The TDIU claim prior to October 15, 2012, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in functional equivalent loss of use of his feet, which may qualify him for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only benefits.

The Veteran's left shoulder residuals and degenerative arthritis are rated at 20 percent from February 27, 2013. The Veteran's multilevel degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent from April 23, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylolisthesis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies are rated at 20 percent each. The combined rating is over 40 percent, meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU from May 27, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and a new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral radiculopathy (secondary to the back condition), bilateral hip condition (secondary to the back condition), and bilateral leg condition (secondary to the back condition) have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, and chronic headaches.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic back disability, osteoarthritis of the knees bilaterally, anxiety disorder, hypertension, lumbar radiculopathy, and cholelithiasis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his left ankle DJD warrants a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and DDD of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for increased rating for hypertension was also denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right eye corneal scar, lupus, low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease are related to an in-service injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder disability from July 1, 2015 due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection is based on new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his active service, including ACDUTRA service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development. The issues include PTSD, depression, hypertension, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, right hand chemical burn, left knee injury, right tennis elbow and arm pain, bilateral shoulder pain, contusion to the neck, and residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions require further examination and development, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spondylosis, limitation of extension and flexion of the left femoral head, and avascular necrosis of left femoral head. Additionally, the Board requests any outstanding VA treatment records as well as employment records from all employers identified by the Veteran.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's Scheuermann's disease of the thoracolumbar spine, effective January 22, 2018. The claims for higher ratings for the thoracolumbar spine and left knee disabilities are remanded.

Your claims for increased evaluations and restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for your service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with invertebral degenerative syndrome are being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.