Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, is at least as likely as not related to his parachute service in the Army. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board video-conference hearing.

The Board finds that service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's disability is related to his military service.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also had his claim for TDIU considered and was granted based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 40 percent from February 5, 2015. His sciatica of the right lower extremity remains at a 40 percent rating since that date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is found to have its onset during his active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Board found that his disability manifested in no more than moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for a service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his active service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted. However, additional development is needed before the merits of the claim can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and obtaining medical records from all relevant sources. The TDIU issue will also be addressed in light of this new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is being reviewed due to his reported in-service injury and continuous symptoms since leaving military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar disability and right ear hearing loss are service-connected as they were incurred during active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides during service, and his prostate cancer was not related to active duty. The back disability and left hand/thumb disability were also not connected to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, both secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Court remanded these issues due to insufficient rationale in the July 2009 VA opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder and a lumbar spine disability, as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for chronic low back strain and left hip strain have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes.