Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected knee disabilities and his claimed low back disorder and psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also affected by these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board found no basis for a higher initial rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to February 22, 2016 and denied an increased rating thereafter. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated as 10 percent disabling based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 45 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his in-service injury and finds reasonable doubt in favor of the claim, granting service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or right hip condition and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder did not have its onset during or is otherwise attributable to his active service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board denied initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective May 15, 2005. The Board found that he meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection for left knee strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The rating for right knee disability remains unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea or establish that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Effective March 22, 2013, the Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, nor does he need regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's hypertension, cervical spine disability, lumbar spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease, and right shoulder replacement (dominant) are all rated at their maximum possible evaluations under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another prior to January 1, 2013 or beginning March 1, 2014.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's skin condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, or acquired psychological disorder to his active service. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and generalized anxiety disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 28, 2015. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 19, 2006 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 40 percent effective July 5, 2017.