Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is reasonably related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mechanical low back pain was found to warrant a rating of 40 percent effective March 30, 2010. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 4, 2010 was denied. The claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss since June 4, 2010 is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not attributable to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not begin in service and is not related to his military service, including parachute jumps. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders were not timely appealed, and thus denied them. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received within a year of the April 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. His application to reopen his service connection claim for this disability was granted, effective January 3, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his back pain and mental health conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain with patellofemoral syndrome, left knee strain with patellofemoral syndrome, and low back strain with mild spondylosis. Service connection was denied for a left foot condition.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability, specifically intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent prior to April 25, 2008. From that date, his disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and therefore denied her claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed cervical spine disability did not manifest during active service or to a compensable degree within the first post-service year, and is not otherwise related to an event in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for clarification on pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis and an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding no evidence of these conditions during service or sufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder capsulitis and tendonitis are found to be aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disk and joint disease. The claim for increased rating of the lumbar disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 with fusion and chronic low back strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 12, 2006. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher evaluation as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.