Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is diagnosed as degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating from August 1, 2008 through April 22, 2009 for convalescence following lumbar spine surgery on January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right knee or low back disabilities for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current symptomatology and ordered a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service, specifically a fall during boot camp. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed. The compensable rating claim for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 20 percent effective June 27, 2011. He previously had a rating of 10 percent from September 16, 2003 to June 26, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder that is causally related to service, including as due to aggravation of pre-existing congenital scoliosis.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection, with no higher rating warranted based on current symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and reopened the claims of service connection for hip disability and pulmonary disorder (to include bronchitis and asthma). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his in-service treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for the residuals of malaria has been withdrawn, and therefore no further action will be taken on this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder was granted a staged increase, with the initial rating of 20% from September 9, 2008 to February 17, 2011 and a final rating of 40% effective February 17, 2011. Separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus. For the back disability, the claim is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine if any current psychiatric or back disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the relationship between his service-connected PVD and his claimed lumbar spine disability, including whether it initially manifested during service or as a result of an in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spondylolysis of L5 and spondylolisthesis, effective from April 23, 2013. The Veteran was previously rated at 20 percent prior to that date.