Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated as 60 percent disabling prior to July 10, 2012. From that date forward, he has separate ratings for moderate radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities (40% each) and degenerative disease of the cervical spine (30%).,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 40 percent disabling.,Both conditions are not rated higher.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a disability due to impaired hearing in either ear. His claims for lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy were partially granted with an initial 10 percent evaluation for lumbar strain, effective December 11, 2006, and a separate 20 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbar strain, effective March 28, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection for this condition. The right knee and left knee disabilities are not currently addressed as they were remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is proximately due to his service-connected left foot scar, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to verify the Veteran's service connection due to potential issues with his service status and to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current back disability is related to his active duty service. Additionally, the RO must request any relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA spine examination to determine if it arose during service or is related to any incident of service. Relevant ongoing medical records from the VA Medical Center in Athens, Georgia are also requested.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, residuals of right ankle fracture with decreased range of motion and scar, and left thigh meralgia paresthetica.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability and PTSD, as well as increased ratings for left shoulder strain and right shoulder tendinitis were all denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for a lumbar spine disorder has been granted. The Board is bifurcating the issue into two separate issues: direct service connection and secondary service connection based on service-connected bunionectomies of the feet. The Veteran's depressive disorder claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, back disability, and cervical spine disability. The Board found no evidence to support a current disability or link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's sinus condition, diagnosed as rhinitis, had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this disability. The claims for low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, and right knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was increased to 20 percent effective September 9, 2010. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated as non-compensable prior to November 19, 2012 and now rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his service-connected conditions, as well as clarification on periods of active duty.

The Veteran's low back condition has not improved, and the Board grants restoration of a 40 percent disability rating for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability with radiculopathy, and consideration of whether separate evaluations are warranted for any associated radiculopathy or bowel/bladder impairment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The Board found the evidence to be at least in equipoise and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a low back or right hip disability due to disease or injury which was incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor is any claimed disability proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral patella chondromalacia.