Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records. The Veteran's claim of an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected low back strain is pending.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is not related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence that the current left foot-ankle disorder relates to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathies and cervical spine condition are also granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disability present in service or caused by service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from April 1, 2011 to include entitlement to a temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 from May 1, 2011 to October 1, 2011 was granted. The claim for TDIU is moot due to the grant of a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected conditions, including headaches with facial numbness, cervical spine DDD, thoracolumbar spine DDD, hemorrhoids, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for residuals of lumbosacral strain to include degenerative changes and granted it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, knee, and back disabilities have been granted. The initial disability rating for chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, and fractured nasal septum has also been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent for the period from October 15, 2010 to September 10, 2014.,Effective September 10, 2014, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it was incurred during active duty.,Regarding his dental condition, the case is remanded to obtain relevant post-service dental records and determine if he currently has any dental disability manifested by loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible, or soft tissue surrounding that region.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain with spondylosis was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine the appropriate disability rating for his cervical spine disability, including consideration of radiculopathy and other related conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause resulted in the inability to obtain evidence favorable to his claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies combined to at least a 60% evaluation prior to October 23, 2013. The Board granted restoration of the 50% evaluation for the low back disability effective from November 25, 2013, and denied all other issues.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection as secondary to his bilateral knee disability. His left shoulder disability remains at a 20% rating, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar myofascial strain, right hip and ankle disabilities that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's appeals on the issues of left knee, left ear hearing loss, and left ear tinnitus have been dismissed as withdrawn. The claim to reopen a back disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records from Sinai-Grace Hospital. A VA examination is also required to consider service connection on a direct or presumptive basis.