Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or for many years thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for his low back disability, and the Board dismisses the appeal.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for low back strain with disc disease was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 29, 1987, or in excess of 20 percent from May 29, 1987 to December 26, 1991, and denied an increased rating since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information regarding his military service dates. The appeal is now pending and will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that his preexisting condition clearly and unmistakably did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral sprain should be July 18, 1979, which is the day following his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's low back disability is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis; or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased evaluations, including a finding of competency. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the nature and etiology of his lower back disability and peripheral neuropathy, and consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for low back strain was granted, with the effective date set at March 28, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for internal hemorrhoids, right knee disability, pes planus, lumbar strain, and arthralgia of the hands and fingers due to lack of a current diagnosis or chronic condition during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The Board established service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected compression fracture of the 12th dorsal vertebra.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and cold injury residuals of bilateral hands. The claim for service connection for hypertension is not reopened. Service connection decisions have been made on some issues but are pending in the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension, but denied the claims for service connection for low back disability and heart disability.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered a complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 40 percent, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The hearing loss disability also did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is pending.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective October 19, 2006. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent is not warranted as the evidence does not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a motor vehicle accident in 1990 and providing an opinion on whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 19, 2005.