Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than the currently assigned 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative joint disease and lumbar degenerative disc disease, is at least 50% likely to have originated during his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The VA is now required to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current right knee, low back, right hip, and right thigh disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than July 15, 1991 for service connection are not warranted as there is no indication of a pending claim prior to this date.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for a back disability and PTSD, including an issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the increased evaluation issue.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and back disabilities, to include as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities. However, no new evidence was received within one year of the August 2005 rating decision that would establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, requiring assistance with daily activities such as dressing, grooming, bathing, preparing meals, managing medications, toileting, transfers, and attending to the needs of nature. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The reduction of the Veteran's chronic low back strain disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper based on recent VA examinations showing improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that further development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a thoracic spine fracture, and neck cervical spondylosis with degenerative disc disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional evidence, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disorders are not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a bilateral foot disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claim for back disability.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease was caused by service and the Board has granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is causally related to an in-service ACDUTRA injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability, including arthritis of the hips, is caused by or increased in severity beyond the natural progress of the disease due to service-connected bilateral femoral neck stress fractures. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for initial consideration of additional argument and evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative, including medical records and photos. The claim will be re-adjudicated following this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 4, 2007, and in excess of 40 percent since April 4, 2007, for his low back disability, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 14, 2008 for the grant of a TDIU rating was denied. The Board found that he is not entitled to extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).