Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing low back disability was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is attributed solely to the Veteran's back disability, which also resulted in denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine warrants a disability rating of 20 percent, effective April 1, 2010.

The Veteran's headaches, right ear disabilities, left ear disease, and back disability are service-connected. The effective date for the increased rating of 20 percent for the back disability is set at April 19, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 1, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as she does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to her ability to care for herself and lack of any service-connected disabilities rated at 100%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim for an effective date earlier than March 7, 2013 for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss with a noncompensable rating effective from March 7, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and mechanical back pain of the lumbar spine has been rated at a 60 percent disability rating since April 27, 2007 due to incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the preceding 12 months.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including personal assault PTSD claims and VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, right ankle, and back disabilities. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The current disability rating is 40 percent, effective December 14, 2012.

The Veteran's degenerative disk disease with degenerative arthritis of the lower lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent prior to March 1, 2003. The claim for a higher initial rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, back, and skin disabilities were reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for left knee osteoarthritis status post total knee replacement.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar, cervical, hip and knee disabilities and his military service. The appellant did not serve on active duty for 90 days or more, thus making presumptive service connection inapplicable.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition, and thus did not grant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted, with a current rating of 20 percent. The Board found that he did not meet criteria for an increased rating based on forward flexion being less than 30 degrees or having unfavorable ankylosis.