Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, was granted. His claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was also granted and he is now rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent since July 13, 2012, due to incapacitating episodes with a total duration of two to four weeks per year or muscle spasm resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not causally or etiologically due to service. The examiner noted that the Veteran had a history of back pain prior to enlistment and during service, but no additional disability was superimposed upon his defects.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and an examination of his low back disability. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, prostate disability, and erectile dysfunction are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence related to his service-connected lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's low back disability, including an annular tear at the L5-S1 disc level and degenerative joint disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, is found to be related to his combat injury during service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a VA examination to assess functional limitations caused by his disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disability is more likely than not related to his in-service football injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative spondylosis of the low back status post laminectomy is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the effective date assigned for the grant of service connection for a fracture of the right distal tibia. The Veteran's claims are not fully resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition was aggravated by his service-connected right knee condition, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back injury is not considered to be caused by VA treatment, and therefore compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a low back injury has been denied.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current wrist, knee, and low back disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and there is no evidence of arthritis within one year following discharge. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected seizure disorder.,The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's arthritis is a natural progression of aging rather than related to his use of Tegretol for his seizures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, with no evidence of onset during active service or within one year post-service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to a special home adaptation grant, and entitlement to specially adapted housing. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 10, 2015. From that date forward, the rating has been found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine syringomyelia. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine is addressed in the REMAND portion.