Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's ventral hernia disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 15, 2007. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent effective August 15, 2007.

The Veteran's cervical spine compression fracture and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease were not rated higher than 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including hearing loss, elbow and knee conditions, spine disorders, foot problems, and a scar. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has found no current disability of the back and denied service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of an injury during service. Service connection for bilateral shin pain was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board found no evidence of a low back injury or condition during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further development of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current radiculopathy of the left leg, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining conditions (lumbar spine and hip degenerative joint disease) are also denied as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of back injury with degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine at L4-S1 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing low back disability was aggravated by his period of active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg meralgia paresthesia/lumbar radiculopathy and cervical spine stenosis with disc disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Board found that the current low back disability did not have its onset in active service and is not the result of a disease or injury incurred in active service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities are currently rated at 40 percent each, resulting in a combined rating of 60 percent. The appeal is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip or low back disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee are not service-connected as they are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from the U.S. Postal Service and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of credible supporting evidence that a stressor actually occurred during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral arthritis of the right knee is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted a separate 10 percent rating for pseudolaxity of the right knee. The Board found that his bilateral hip disorder and low back disorder are not service connected.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to July 2, 2010 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a VA compensation examination of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine due to evidence suggesting worsening of his disability. Additionally, all pertinent treatment records since May 2010 and from David Cosenza, M.D., must be secured and associated with the claims file.