Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current DDD and DJD of lumbosacral spine with HNP at L5-S1 and disc bulge at L4-L5 is related to his service-connected left leg disability, thus granting service connection for a back disability.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's varicose veins to his active duty service or any other factor. The Board denies service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided with comprehensive VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed low back and migraine headache disabilities. The claims will be re-adjudicated following this development.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. His left knee disability, characterized by limitation of flexion and painful motion, warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are service-connected as they were incurred during his active military service.,The VA examiner provided multiple addendums to the November 2012 examination, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of DDD of the low back and osteoarthritis of the neck are not related to his in-service activities.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed back, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities did not have onset during active service or within one year of service discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle, back, headaches, and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The right hip disability was also denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or malunion.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to inadequate medical examination and need for further development regarding service connection claims for back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain and lumbar disc disease with degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent from March 6, 2007 to January 6, 2008. From January 7, 2008 to March 14, 2013, the rating was increased to 20 percent. Since March 15, 2013, a higher rating of 40 percent has been granted.

The Board has remanded the increased rating claim for the lumbar spine disability and the right knee disability issue due to ambiguities in the Court's Order. The Veteran is also required to provide new evidence for his sleep apnea claim.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability effective December 27, 2012. The criteria for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent were not met during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243 for IVDS. The other issues have not been granted as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology and examination findings.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service injury, and therefore service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of either foot or hand, and therefore he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated at 10 percent from August 19, 2007 to July 21, 2012 and from August 21, 2013, and at 20 percent since July 14, 2014. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating under VA's rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.