Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent since January 27, 2014. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity secondary to his service-connected low back disorder has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for a left knee disability, entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, and entitlement to service connection for hypertension are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee meniscus tear with arthritis, finding that the Veteran's right knee disorder caused his left knee disability. Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to verify whether the Veteran was on Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) in November 2008, and to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's low back disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service, and concluded that it is not related to his service-connected pes planus. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, heart disorder, flat feet, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are not attributable to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including for a new VA examination regarding arthritis other than rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's upper back disorder and arthritis claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral disc disease and cervical myelopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized joint pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1117 is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a new examination to assess the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, hip and knee disabilities, and EDS of the right hand were evaluated. The appeals for higher ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for increased evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The cervical spine condition remains rated at 10 percent.,Propriety of separate ratings for radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities has been addressed as part of the initial rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical and lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examination report, and new medical opinions are required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the claims for increased ratings are granted. The right hip and left hip disabilities as residuals of pelvic fractures are each rated at 10 percent. The fracture of the seventh and eighth ribs is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent since December 8, 2008. His PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are both rated appropriately.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and bilateral knee disability are found to be service-connected as they are proximately due to his service-connected right ankle and foot disabilities. Effective July 18, 2006, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.