Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of the assigned noncompensable ratings for most conditions, except for a 20 percent evaluation for left shoulder impingement status post surgery.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal regarding his right leg disorder due to his withdrawal. The claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied as there is no evidence linking it to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the claims file, including recent VA medical records and translation of Spanish language documents. The appellant's service connection claims will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to address the relationship between his service-connected lumbar strain and any current right knee and hip disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right, left knee disabilities and low back disability are not related to his military service. The claim for residuals of a left ankle fracture is denied as well. Service connection for hepatitis C cannot be established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective December 18, 2009. His right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent effective August 14, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records from Oak Knoll Naval Hospital.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine resulted in muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or kyphosis. The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities was denied. The RO awarded a 40 percent rating effective August 6, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is warranted, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any arthritic condition found to be present, as well as whether his service-connected psoriasis caused or aggravated any currently diagnosed degenerative arthritis or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal with respect to the claims of entitlement to service connection for a fungal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence, including private treatment records received in April 2010. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective September 28, 2007. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective June 22, 2007. The TDIU is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50% disabling since March 13, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to the appellant's active service.