Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not show an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions, nor was there clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the right leg, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for residuals of a sprain of the right ankle.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left leg was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, which requires constant supervision.

The Board found that the September 1980 bicycle accident was due to the Veteran's willful misconduct, and thus denied service connection for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis of the 5th lumbar vertebra is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder, claimed as low back arthritis. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim but has not made a decision on whether service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his lumbar spine condition, has been established. He requires assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and handling finances.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities, both involving degenerative disc disease with strain, do not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's depression was incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that his low back disorder is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability within one year post-service.

The Board denied service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral leg pain and tremors due to chronic pain syndrome, and chronic low back pain due to chronic pain syndrome. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and ratings for knee disabilities, with the Board finding that further development is necessary.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including an addendum to a VA examination and consideration of the appellant's assertions regarding her back problems during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the rating and effective date remain pending as the claim for anal fissure is still under development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of past evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and need for clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is likely related to an in-service injury during his first period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the claim for erectile dysfunction remains denied as it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected prostatitis.