Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective July 1, 2011. The TDIU claim was granted effective the same date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and finds that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition developed during active service. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was also denied a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is denied as there is no diagnosed condition. The right thigh disability resulting from her service-connected right knee surgery is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his right ankle disability remains at 10%. The claims for lumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left ankle disabilities are not addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current low back disorders are related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent from October 28, 2007 to May 1, 2014. From May 1, 2014 onwards, the rating remained at 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected back disability. The case has been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability, despite complaints of pain and functional limitations, did not meet the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10 percent from November 8, 2008 to February 23, 2011. From February 24, 2011, the rating was increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition (trench foot) has been reopened. The other issues remain pending and are evaluated on their merits.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 4, 2014, and increased to 20 percent from that date forward. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neurological foot disability (numbness of the feet) are denied as there is no evidence of continuous or recurrent symptoms during active service, nor any nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's neck and low back disabilities are not related to his service, specifically because he was not in federalized National Guard service when these injuries occurred. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40 percent disabling effective August 11, 2015. She also has separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorders did not manifest during service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and for further development.

The Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities since December 17, 2004. The Board grants TDIU effective from that date.