Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability from February 5, 2011 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy of the left leg has been rated at 20 percent since July 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to SSA disability benefits, and if new evidence is obtained, it should be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for a right knee disability, back disability, and bilateral hip disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease resulted in unfavorable ankylosis involving the entire spine, with difficulty walking due to limited line of vision and restricted mouth opening. The cervical spine degenerative joint disease manifested as unfavorable ankylosis.,Prior to August 17, 2009, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease was rated at 40 percent effective August 17, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service, and thus cannot be granted service connection under either presumptive or direct service connection provisions. The low back and foot disabilities have also been denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is service-connected as it resulted from an injury during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for wrist pain and low back disorder, as well as his claim for new and material evidence for hypertension, were denied. His initial rating for dermatitis/seborrheic dermatitis was also denied. The Veteran's increased rating claim for PTSD with mild depression remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 20, 2009 for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that VA should have broadly interpreted her PTSD claim.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the lower extremities warrants a rating of 20 percent based on moderate incomplete paralysis in both legs.,For the low back disorder, the Veteran's symptoms warrant an evaluation of 40 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that can be attributed to his period of active military service.,There is no evidence showing chronic ingrown toenails were incurred during service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and cellulitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 60 percent since January 2003, but a reduction to 30 percent was implemented due to material improvement not being demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development as the current evidence does not sufficiently address his service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, including obtaining records of any in-service helicopter crash and confirming diagnoses of low back disability and traumatic brain injury.

The Board has found no current evidence of a disability of the pelvis, right hip, thoracolumbar or cervical spine and/or a disability manifested by sleep disturbance. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not causally or etiologically related to service, including any injury or event therein.