Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The right knee issue will be remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a new VA examination to assess current right knee impairment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and his claim for a TDIU. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 60 percent for left and right total knee replacements, and a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issue regarding radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's low back disability claim, and requests for private treatment records are made. The right knee disability issue requires issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The case will be returned to the Board after all necessary development.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, manifested by limited, painful motion of greater than 60 degrees but not ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome, warranted a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the thoracic spine and degenerative disc disease, originated during his active service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for a higher rating for disc disease of the lumbar spine and an initial rating for fracture skull with severe traumatic brain injury and memory loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar disc herniation prior to September 1, 2010 was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar disc herniation remains August 4, 2005.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to her in-service motor vehicle accident. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the evidence demonstrates a causal relationship between her service-connected injury and her current condition.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is not related to service, but he has a current right great toe fracture with residual degenerative joint disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection was granted for the right great toe disability and cervical spine disability, but denied for the left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is not related to her service-connected right hip disability, or otherwise to active duty service.,The Veteran's sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is proximately due to, or the result of, her service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the left hip and degenerative disc disease of the low back are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at the initial 20 percent level since December 17, 2002. The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as of April 20, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 30, 2003.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed back disabilities, specifically whether they are related to service or not. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and found that there is no current evidence showing residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient medical evidence.