Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of head trauma and bilateral leg disabilities. The decision also grants increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral leg disabilities and finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating based on his combined disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or related to his military service, including an injury he sustained in 1981. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology from service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 60% disability rating effective November 27, 2000. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his costochondritis from 10% to 60%. No other issues were addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, characterized as multi-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at the maximum allowable under the schedular criteria, and his IBS does not warrant an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is manifested by DDD, minor spondylosis, limited motion, to include forward flexion limited no worse than 70 degrees, pain, guarding, tenderness, and moderate disc protrusion causing radicular pain down the left lower extremity. The criteria for an increased rating greater than 10 percent have not been met.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, as there was no chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period. The Board concluded that the current disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a wound infection with delayed healing of lumbar laminectomy incision and depression, finding that diabetes mellitus contributed to these conditions. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and urinary incontinence are not currently service-connected.

The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, including her left hip and spine conditions, which together with the residuals of her organic injuries so affect her balance that she cannot locomote without a cane or walker. The criteria for specially adapted housing assistance have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a lack of proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether it is related to service or a service-connected left foot disorder. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her military service or to her service-connected neck disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing additional examinations to address the nature and etiology of his cervical and lumbar spine disorders, hearing loss, and major depressive disorder. The RO will also clarify the disability rating assigned to his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 30 percent, which is also the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that the current 40 percent evaluation adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis and radiculopathy are causally related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's low back condition is characterized by pain and forward flexion to at least 40 degrees. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent are not met.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective July 9, 2005. The case for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and has granted service connection based on direct evidence showing that the current condition is related to his in-service coccygeal injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is due to an injury sustained during service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.