Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral/dorsal spine disorder does not warrant a higher rating than the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for any period, as his symptoms have been at least severe but not more than severe.

The Board found that the veteran was not exposed to ionizing radiation during service and his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, with lumbosacral strain, and COPD are not related to service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's low back disorder, characterized as low back pain, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that the disability warrants a higher evaluation of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues raised by a court decision invalidating previous regulations. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar muscle strain and right L5 disc excision is pending.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his back and left elbow disabilities is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing.

The VA denied the claimant's request for a higher rating for his service-connected mechanical low back pain with arthritis, evaluating it at 10 percent since February 25, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural and substantive changes in the law, including a need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA), obtaining additional medical records, and considering updated rating criteria. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective July 30, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board denied increased evaluation for right knee disability and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, as well as service connection for back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to an in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities were denied. The only granted claim was for a higher rating of lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings, finding that the lumbar spine disability warranted a 60 percent rating effective October 3, 2001, and that the gastrointestinal reaction did not warrant an increase.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 1992 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, effective from September 23, 2002. The decision also addressed his claim for individual unemployability and found it to be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased and extraschedular evaluations for his lumbar strain with arthritis, finding that the disability is primarily manifested by constant back pain, muscle spasms, and intermittent tenderness to palpation.