Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his active duty service, while his left shoulder and low back disabilities are not. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders, including DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, are not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and back conditions.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are granted, with the cervical spine rated at 20% effective November 18, 2013, and the thoracolumbar spine rated at 40%. The rating is based on the current functional limitations of the spinal joints.

The Veteran's mild disc bulges of the lumbosacral spine are as likely as not due to underlying low back strain. Service connection for all disc pathology of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical nexus opinions regarding his current disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims due to need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back disability and left knee disability are related to his service-connected right knee disability, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not shown to be otherwise directly related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the low back disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right hip and/or right thigh disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether the Veteran is requesting increased ratings or effective date changes.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 4, 2013.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent prior to September 19, 2013, and 20 percent on and after that date. The Veteran is also entitled to a staged rating for this disability.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for right and left knee disabilities or vision problems secondary to MS.,The Veteran's memory problems are considered as secondary to his service-connected multiple sclerosis (MS).,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is rated at 20 percent each, effective March 4, 2013.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 4, 2013.,The reduction in the initial rating for seizures from 20 to 10 percent was proper and supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's left lower leg sensory paresthesias are rated at 20 percent, effective March 4, 2013.,The Veteran's service-connected MS is considered the primary cause for his seizures.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The issue must be further evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability from May 17, 2004 to February 4, 2006; a rating in excess of 20 percent from February 5, 2006 to February 4, 2007; or a rating in excess of 40 percent since February 5, 2007. The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurologic deficits of the right lower extremity was also denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy associated with his service-connected back disability is granted effective June 23, 2008.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left knee injury, hypertension, and residuals of frostbite of the left great toe. The Veteran's other claims were also addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine (back disorder), and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were previously denied but have been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by herniated discs and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, has been rated at 60 percent since November 1995. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right knee chondromalacia. The Board has ordered additional development as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbosacral strain, but denied service connection for bilateral knee and left shoulder conditions.