Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting spondylolisthesis did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during active duty service and thus, his current back disability is not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of lumbar spine disability and service connection for left ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for hypertension was also denied as it is not related to the service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is related to low back injuries during service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board found that there was no medical evidence establishing a causal link between the Veteran's current back disability and her military service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring all medical examination reports comply with the request. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and any associated radiculopathy. The RO must also consider whether separate ratings are warranted for these conditions, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder as being related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and low back strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless or so disabled that he needs regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right knee chondromalacia patella and left knee chondromalacia patella are rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran's left ankle sprain is also rated at 10 percent. No higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. The low back disorder claim is pending, with new and material evidence having been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides, was denied. The claims for increased PTSD rating and for various scars were also denied.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below and is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as he is satisfied with the current rating.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected low back disability alone, but rather related to multiple nonservice-connected disabilities including blindness and cognitive impairment. The Board denies the claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without aid.