Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance. The claim for housebound benefits was also denied due to his ability to perform most daily activities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying periods of active duty. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumber spine disability, including lumbar scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim, and that his pre-existing lumbar scoliosis was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective April 24, 2006. The decision also addressed the issue of TDIU and found that it is not warranted.

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 thoracolumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain with osteopenia is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes cavus, cervical radiculopathy in the left upper extremity, lumbar radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities, DJD of the hips, and low back disability have all been denied. The effective dates requested by the Veteran are not warranted.,The Veteran's original claim for service connection was filed on May 2, 1996, but he did not raise claims for these conditions until October 12, 1999, which is more than one year after his separation from active duty. The effective dates assigned are based on the earliest date of receipt of a claim or the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine sprain and lumbar spine spasm have been granted with initial disability evaluations of 10 percent each, effective October 15, 2003. The left foot and shoulder disabilities are not rated as compensable.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary prior to deciding the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, left hip and low back disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities and any bilateral wrist disability, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the merits of the claim may be addressed, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not show that any of his service-connected disabilities warranted an earlier effective date than November 9, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, heart disease, residuals of a stroke, and lumbar spine disability are not supported by competent evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding an in-service injury or event that would support these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine, low back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development due to the need to address the impact of his airborne training. The ankle disabilities are separate from the thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease or degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for cervical spondylosis was denied. Service connection for low back, right shoulder, and eye disorders were also denied. Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic strain of the lumbosacral spine was denied, and he is currently rated at 20 percent. Service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities were also denied due to aggravation by military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disorder and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and related weakness of the lower extremities, as well as a claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded to consider these issues.