Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by complaints of pain with recurring attacks and intermittent relief, limitation of motion, and an altered gait. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lower back disability has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is rated at 20 percent since February 26, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal tract problems, esophageal dysmotility, low back pain and degenerative joint disease, neck pain and degenerative joint disease, muscle pain and weakness, gall bladder condition, and right kidney cyst did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The claims were denied because there was no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that these conditions are secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left foot injury, an irregular heartbeat, pain in his lower legs, a low back disorder, and prostate problems due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found that there was no current disability for any of these conditions, and that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's low back disorder and right knee arthritis are not service-connected or warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain/sprain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder, including thoracolumbar scoliosis, as secondary to a right tibial stress fracture. The evidence received since the November 2004 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection. His eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits was also denied due to his incarceration.

The Board determined that the Veteran's back disorder and pneumonia were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shortening of the right leg is a result of disease or injury incurred during active military service, and his low back disorder secondary to the right leg disability is also considered as resulting from such service. The Veteran was granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, finding that his ankle disability did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they otherwise attributable to service-connected lumbar strain with myositis.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disability and a chronic psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran does not have a left side disorder that is related to military service or an event of service origin. The Board finds no medical evidence linking the current left thoracic strain to his in-service injury and concludes it is less likely than not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with left radiculopathy.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence linking it to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right wrist disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for the claimed conditions of residuals of a head injury, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The disorders are currently shown as bilateral shoulder tendonitis, cervical spondylosis, and lumbar scoliosis, but these are not related to service.