Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is service-connected as it had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability and low back disability was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these disabilities, nor any evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, including multiple parachute jumps during active duty.,The Board has also found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine and DJD of the left shoulder, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized as lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, is currently rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development of his service connection claims, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying his periods of active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, was not aggravated by an injury sustained during his period of ACDUTRA in June 1995.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right great toe disability was denied in July 1983, and no new and material evidence has been submitted since then.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was not established as incurred in service or related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for further medical examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service and no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities are currently rated at the maximum available ratings of 20 percent for each condition. The VA has determined that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease, is the result of hard landings and vibration during service as a helicopter pilot. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, status post radiation therapy, is rated at 60 percent disabling due to urinary frequency and incontinence requiring absorbent materials more than four times a day. His lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new video conference hearing due to his inability to attend the previously scheduled one.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been granted, with the exception of his claim for an increased rating for dyssomnia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability should be reopened, and he is entitled to a VA examination. The left ankle disability rating issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and his service-connected disabilities of chondromalacia patella, chronic tendonitis, and pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and back disabilities, but denied service connection for right wrist disability. The Veteran's left knee condition is considered to have been aggravated by military service, while his back condition increased during service. His right wrist condition was not diagnosed at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decision was made on the merits of any claims.