Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, was incurred during his military service and is not permanently aggravated by such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not manifested by recurrent attacks with intermittent relief, ankylosis, or flexion limited to 30 degrees or less. The claim for a separate evaluation for radiculopathy due to this condition was remanded and is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, with neurological findings related to the site of the diseased disc and with little intermittent relief.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted an extraschedular evaluation for his lumbar spine disability. The Veteran now has a 60% rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disability has effectively precluded him from locomotion without the aid of a cane or wheelchair, meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the case to the VA Compensation and Pension Service for an extra-schedular evaluation of the Veteran's chronic low back strain. The issue will be referred back to the RO for a determination on TDIU and temporary total ratings based upon hospitalization and convalescence.

The Veteran's claims for initial and increased ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain are being remanded to the RO for further development of his medical records.

The Veteran's skin disorder and DDD of the lumbar spine are service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, with separate compensable ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his inservice low back injury.

The Board found that there is no probative medical evidence linking the Veteran's hearing loss to service, and there is no current low back disability. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability were denied.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance of another person has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate. However, his mental competency status remains unclear.

The Veteran was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis during active service and has experienced continuous post-service symptoms. The weight of the competent evidence is at least in relative equipoise on whether her currently diagnosed right and left foot plantar fasciitis are related to the in-service diagnosis.,By extending the benefit of the doubt, the Veteran's disability manifested by lumbosacral strain is due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's hypertension was also found to be related to in-service onset.,Service connection is established for a back disability due to its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, and for hypertension which began during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those allegedly related to ionizing radiation exposure, are not supported by the evidence of record and have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning all issues, including the reopening of service connection claims and the entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine were not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 18, 2008.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be established. The Veteran's claim for a back disorder was also denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in a current disability.