Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not render her in need of such benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 20, 2012 and found no basis for a higher rating since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current thoracolumbar spine disorder or cervical spine disorder related to service. The claim for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA and Workman's Compensation records, scheduling an examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, and considering whether staged ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the claim. The issue of an increased rating for his back disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and requesting a rationale from the private physician who provided an opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 6, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has not been productive of limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's disability rating for his lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling for DJD. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting further examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of higher initial ratings for a low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 2009. The August 2012 VA examination found forward flexion to be less than 60 degrees, but not less than 30 degrees, and no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical/lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing such condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease are not etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not manifested during service or for many years after service, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 40% disability rating, effective June 18, 2009. The bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted a 30% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as his tinnitus, are at least as likely as not related to his active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The status of the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and degenerative disc disease, also characterized as low back disability, is unknown due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, irritant induced dermatitis of the upper eyelids, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.