Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right knee disorder and breathing disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and whether he requires regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine spondylolysis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely due to disease or injury incurred in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for status-post L4-L5 hemilaminectomy and discectomy with radicular symptoms, DDD and lumbar scoliosis. The Veteran's upper back pain was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and right hip disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied these claims. The low back disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied prior to November 1, 2007.,From November 1, 2007 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder was rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since July 1, 2009. The rating is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted, but he is seeking higher evaluations. The current ratings are based on limitation of motion and associated symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including DDD and spondylolithesis, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's compression fracture of the L3 segment of the lumbar spine is etiologically related to service-connected PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck disorder and back disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to an in-service injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back complaints in service were acute and resolved without residuals, and a chronic low back disability was not manifested in service. The current low back disability is not shown to be related to his service, including complaints noted therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence added to his claims file. The issues include rating higher than 30 percent for a mood disorder, higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, higher than 10 percent for lateral instability of the right knee, and higher than 10 percent for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right leg amputation and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, affect his ability to move without assistance. As such, he meets the criteria for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The RO has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with associated arthritis and hip conditions is rated at 40 percent, effective June 17, 2009.