Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and has denied the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disability, right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral foot disability, and various knee disabilities were denied. The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left knees are rated as 10% since August 17, 2007 and October 25, 2005 respectively. The Veteran's right leg and left leg disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.

The Veteran seeks increased evaluations for his service-connected left shoulder disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 6, 2007, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. His migraine headaches were rated noncompensable until December 6, 2007, when he received a 30 percent rating. The bilateral pes planus with calcaneal osteophytes of the left foot was also rated at 10 percent from December 6, 2007. There is no compensable rating assigned for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with DDD and DJD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The claim for service connection for Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spur of the left foot was deferred pending completion of further development. The TDIU claim is also deferred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left arm radiculopathy was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right leg radiculopathy, and incontinence disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied by the RO. The disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which reflects a limitation in range of motion and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back disability and secondary service connection for neck and headache disabilities. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Board found that spina bifida is a congenital defect and not subject to service connection. The acquired low back disorder was denied as the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and skin disability of the feet were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is due to a service-related injury in 1976, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a low back injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine due to a need for additional action, including an examination and consideration of the continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's low back pain disability is rated at 40 percent since March 18, 2008. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined ratings of his service-connected disabilities.