Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back condition and left hip osteoarthritis are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back condition. The claim for service connection is also being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is warranted since October 27, 2014. The Veteran's disability resulted in painful motion causing limitation of flexion to 60 degrees and functional losses more equivalent to the 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent for the entire appeal period, with a temporary increase to 60 percent effective November 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability, specifically lumbar disc disease, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability, thyroid disability, neck disability, or bilateral wrist and knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The claims for COPD and emphysema as well as the back disability are denied due to lack of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative disc disease without myelopathy, shell fragment wound (SFW) residuals affecting the neck, right shoulder and chest, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus prior to August 27, 2014 is dismissed as he has expressed satisfaction with the current rating.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus from August 27, 2014 is dismissed as he has expressed satisfaction with the current rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted, with a temporary total evaluation of 100% for one year following left knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records. The claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has resulted in limitation of forward flexion that more nearly approximates 30 degrees or less, but not in unfavorable ankylosis nor incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during a 12 month period. The Board finds the criteria for a rating of 40 percent have been met since January 14, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of the left knee, and left ankle sprain, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA spine examination and TDIU claim development. The Veteran's service connection claim for his back condition remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for prostate, low back, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence is not in equipoise and does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected bilateral ankle and low back disabilities, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA medical opinions to address the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and its impact on his back and left knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating claim. The TDIU claim will also be remanded due to the inextricability with other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete National Guard service records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for lumbar disability and hypertension are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, left ankle disability, and left hip fracture residuals. The issues of chronic headaches, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), psychiatric disability, vertigo, back disability, and right eye cataracts were also addressed.