Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The disabilities are instead considered to be secondary to his service-connected pes cavus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of disability, as he has reported significant decline in his back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, but service connection is granted for chronic low back disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all related to his military service. The claim for dental treatment is denied as there is no evidence of loss of teeth due to in-service trauma.

The Veteran's low back disability, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent for its orthopedic manifestations and 20 percent each for the right and left lower extremity disabilities since March 3, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back spondylolysis and finds that it was aggravated by active military service. The Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during his time in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for back, neck, and right leg disabilities are inextricably intertwined with his Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits claim.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and low back disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during service. The claim for right knee DJD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative disc disease, most pronounced at L1-2 and L2-3 (as demonstrated by X-ray in the May 2006 VA examination), was caused by or the result of his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and GERD are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations.

The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for the right knee disorder and service connection for a low back disorder secondary to bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and a need to reconstruct his medical history. The case is returned to the RO for additional actions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lower back disability began during or was caused by his military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability.

The Veteran's cause of death, end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his herniated disc, L4-5, with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right ankle disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation in service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the reductions in ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right C6 radiculopathy, and a cervical spine fusion scar were proper based on improvement in the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her military service.