Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as she does not meet the threshold requirement of entitlement to SMC at the maximum rate or an intermediate rate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his mechanical low back pain syndrome with L5-S1 and L2-L4 discogenic disk disease and degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for additional examination, treatment records review, and readjudication.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening a claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability and seeking service connection for back disability, right ankle disability, and right thumb fracture. The Board has dismissed these matters as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, and lumbar spine disorders as secondary to the service-connected left femur disability.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability or arthritis of the hips that was incurred in service, and denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for L5-S1 disc space narrowing and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's in-service back injury. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for mild multilevel spondylotic disease of the lumbar spine is granted, with a current effective date of May 28, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back disability attributable to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is productive of no more than a limitation of motion of 50 degrees due to pain, and there is no evidence of physician-prescribed bed rest due to incapacitating episodes of back pain during four weeks of the last twelve months. The criteria for the establishment of a 20 percent rating have been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, left hand, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claims for service connection due to in-service complaints of right knee and back pain, as well as post-service findings.

The Veteran's service-connected total right knee replacement, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are currently rated at 40%, 20%, and 10% respectively. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease with lumbar stenosis and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service low back pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ear disorder or degenerative changes in his lumbar spine, and there is no evidence of such disorders during service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety and denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral shoulder disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The cervical spine spondylosis is attributed to natural aging process.

The Board denied reopening a claim for service connection for prostate problems and found that the Veteran does not have arthritis of the lumbar spine related to service. The claim for prostate disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for arthritis of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, manifested by a chronic lumbar sprain with spondylosis and Paget's disease of the spine, is found to be related to his military service. His left hip avascular necrosis has been granted an increased rating from January 12, 2009 onward.

The Veteran's service-connected eye disability (photophobia) and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board finds that there is no current, identifiable pathology associated with his complaints of photophobia or any impairment due to his degenerative disc disease.