Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability prior to August 29, 2007 due to limited range of motion with flexion exceeding 30 degrees.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of whether he is entitled to an even higher initial rating remains on remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate medical examination in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbosacral spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities, to include arthritis, did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year, are not etiologically related to service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Board also found that these disabilities were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He requires the use of a motorized scooter or power wheelchair and is unable to leave the home at his discretion. He requires regular personal assistance from his wife and others to perform self-care and activities of daily living.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition and bilateral pes planus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are now before the Board to decide on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to service, and thus grants this claim.,However, the evidence does not support a finding of bilateral hearing loss disability due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as middle/lower back disorder), and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are all proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss, and scheduling examinations for the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral ankle disabilities, and right elbow disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder strain were not service-connected.,PTSD was granted at 70% effective September 28, 2011. The reduction of prostate cancer from 100% to 20% in April 2010 and then to 40% in September 2012 was found proper.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for congenital low back and pelvic disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's death may be related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus remands the case for further development including obtaining VA medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, low back degenerative disc disease, hemorrhoids, bilateral foot osteoarthritis, and respiratory disability (COPD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report and further development is needed.

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