Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

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.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for duodenal ulcer. The claims for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability has been denied as the evidence does not show that the condition more nearly approximates unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks during a 12-month period.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during active service and denied the claim for service connection. The Board also noted that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding acquired psychiatric disorders, radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathy as being related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and arthritis of knees and ankles are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. However, there is no evidence of left ankle arthritis during or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders. The preponderance of evidence is against both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.