Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for further development and consideration due to a need for additional examination and opinion regarding his lumbar spine disability, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's cognitive impairment and other residuals of TBI not otherwise classified are currently rated at 70 percent disabling since January 18, 2011.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since June 15, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left eye injury. The Veteran's other claims, including those involving the low back and sores of the mouth, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and chronic rhinitis with eustachian tube dysfunction are all rated at their respective lowest possible compensable levels (10 percent) throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development due to the need for a TDIU determination based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that his current back condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned effective from August 29, 2005. The decision does not specify the exact date of effectiveness for the new rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for degenerative joint disease with traumatic characteristics, lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is attributable to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for chronic lumbar strain with bilateral L5 spondylolysis and minimal osteosis spondylolisthesis of L5.

The reduction of the rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for left shoulder disability was improper, and the original 10 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any neck disability, including degenerative disc disease. Additionally, all relevant records from SSA should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right foot fracture is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder injury with degenerative joint disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease are rated based on their current manifestations, which do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, specifically from his chiropractor and VA spine specialists. The claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence available.

The Veteran's low back degenerative disc disease is found to be at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected left knee arthritis. The claims for higher ratings of the left knee disabilities and for service connection for a psychiatric disability are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA/VA-authorized treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The VA examiner found that his forward flexion was limited to 80 degrees and extension to 15 degrees, resulting in a combined range of motion of 230 degrees, which falls within the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder did not increase in severity during active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a lumbar spine disability was denied as there is no evidence that he filed any claims prior to April 17, 2012. The Board found the earliest possible effective date would be April 17, 2012, which is when his informal claim was received.

The Veteran's claim for a 2013 annual clothing allowance based on the use of prescribed medication to treat his service-connected mechanical low back pain and sensory loss, right lower extremity is denied as there is no skin condition due to a service-connected disability.