Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected conditions were denied. The RO maintained the original ratings of 10 percent for GERD, right and left knee strains, lumbar strain, and right wrist tendinitis post excision of ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities were denied. The issues of entitlement to separate rating for right leg sciatica as a neurological component of the service-connected spondylolisthesis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine disability, and TDIU are also addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to service, and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar strain is found to be service-connected. However, the scars are not compensable under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and left hip scar, finding that the evidence did not support a rating greater than 10 percent for either condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, respectively. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the January 2001 rating decision denying service connection for a back disorder is final. New and material evidence was not presented to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee injury, and headaches with shrapnel wounds of the head were denied as there is no evidence of additional disabling symptomatology that would warrant separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5010-5003 and 5257.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lower back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and ventral hernia have been denied. The Veteran is presumed to seek the maximum available benefit for his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, as well as compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for heart and chronic renal diseases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back degenerative joint disease and left ankle fracture are likely due to injuries sustained during his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic low back condition, which is currently diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The decision finds that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis of the right wrist, right knee, and lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a lower back disability, with the latter being secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for a left knee disability is not addressed as it was not part of the original appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 21, 2002. The claim for increased dermatitis has been granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective March 25, 2009.