Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a back injury now claimed as low back pain. The appeal is allowed with respect to this issue.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to have had its onset in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The ratings for his back and neck disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine from July 29, 2011 to March 25, 2016. He also has separate evaluations for lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are not of probative value and additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is not service-connected and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest within one year of service separation and is less likely related to his military service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's current low back disability, including chronic vertebral osteophytosis with lumbosacral disc derangement, was incurred in service and the Board grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus at least aggravated his current low back disability, diagnosed as facet arthropathy of the lumbar spine. Therefore, service connection for facet arthropathy of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Veteran's surgery for his service-connected lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a temporary total evaluation due to its duration and postoperative limitations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent, and her radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a higher rating for the radiculopathy.

The Veteran's child, J.G.C., should have been added as a dependent earlier than June 18, 2010. The Board found that the place of birth information for J.G.C. was not provided within one year of notification of the May 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a rating of 30 percent for residuals of right knee replacement and the other issues were not addressed due to lack of development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability and granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellar tendonitis and strain.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee arthritis and cervical spine disability are secondary to his service-connected back disability, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic and hydrocele disabilities have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the decision. The appeal is denied as there are no higher ratings available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is found to be etiologically related to his military service and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right hip disability has been denied. The appeals for higher initial ratings for lumbar strain, left hip strain, and left thigh impingement are pending. The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with mood congruent psychotic features is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for DDD of the lumbosacral spine was denied. However, service connection for arthritis of the thoracic spine was granted.