Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal regarding his claim for service connection for a back disability. The RO denied reopening of the claim in March 1996, finding no new and material evidence to warrant reopening.

The veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from cardiomyopathy.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, and thus the claim is reopened. The medical opinion indicates that the current back disability is related to an injury sustained during active military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disorder, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and ankylosing spondylitis, was aggravated by her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in July 1987.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The veteran's low back disability results in severe impairment and is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain warrants an increased rating to 20 percent, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a disability manifested by syncope and memory deficit, finding that the veteran's claims were not well-grounded due to lack of objective medical evidence supporting her contentions. The Board also found no aggravation of her service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 40 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows severe limitation of motion but no ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation, maintaining a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches (10% prior to June 10, 1996; 30% as of that date) and spondylosis of the lumbar spine with disc bulging at L4-5 and L5-S1 (20%), but denied hypertension.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scoliosis of the dorsal and lumbar segments of the spine is being remanded due to incomplete development, including a need for further examination and review of medical records.

The veteran's low back disorder, including herniated nucleus pulposus and lumbar radiculopathy, is considered to have started during his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back disorder was denied by the RO. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the veteran for a VA spine examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current chronic disabilities of the low back, right hip or right leg. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.