Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and nuclear sclerotic cataracts, but granted an initial rating of 20% for residuals of a right foot fracture.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his postoperative lumbosacral disc disease was denied as he failed to report for multiple scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was incurred during his active duty for training in 1988, and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the spine is not related to his service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was pending at the time of his death in October 1978, and he met the criteria for such benefits. The effective date is set as October 16, 1978.

The VA has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not meet or approximate criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee, hip, ankle disorders are not related to service and denied these claims. The veteran's claim for residuals of fracture of the left hand is also denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as spinal stenosis. The Board finds that the veteran's complete service medical records are not of record and orders further actions to locate these records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, cervical strain and degenerative changes of the cervical spine, paresthesias of both lower extremities, and residuals of cerebral concussion. The veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his service, and therefore denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back strain, as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, prostatitis, hepatitis C, and skin cancer. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 60% to 50%, effective March 1, 2005, was proper. The effective date is corrected to March 31, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coccydynia, a back disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder. The claim for coccydynia was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran, but service connection was not granted as there is no current evidence of a tailbone-related problem. Service connection was also denied for the back and gastrointestinal disorders.

The veteran is found to be permanently and totally disabled due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, lumbar spine issues, radiculopathy, and a right eye disorder. The decision grants the veteran a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, manifested by chronic pain and limited range of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritic changes, effective September 26, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.