Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, fibrocystic breast disease, chronic residuals of right inguinal and umbilical hernia repairs, and a sigmoid colon disability, are not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The examiner opined that these conditions are unrelated to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the claim as it is no longer in a pending state.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, effective from March 7, 2005. The decision also addressed increased ratings for left lower extremity muscle weakness and right and left knee injuries.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain, finding that his disability did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the criteria for a 20 percent rating have been met as of August 28, 2001. Therefore, the veteran is entitled to an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain was rated at 10 percent prior to June 3, 2004. From June 3, 2004, the disability was rated at 40 percent under a different diagnostic code.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records.

The Board denied service connection for blindness of the left eye, a low back disorder, and hypertension. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that a 40 percent rating is warranted for the veteran's service-connected low back strain with spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, which results in severe limitation of motion.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disorder related to service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability has worsened his arthritis of the low back and lumbar disc disease, warranting service connection for this degree of aggravation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart murmur but denied all other claims, including secondary service connection for arthritis of the hip and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic left ankle disability, low back disorder, bilateral defective hearing, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has referred the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities to the RO for further action. The case is being remanded due to the need to locate additional medical records from the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

The veteran's initial disability evaluation for lateral recess stenosis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease was denied, as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder, sleep apnea, fractures and degenerative changes of the hips, knees, feet and arms, and fractures and degenerative changes of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and a venous insufficiency. The claims were previously denied in July 1993 but reopened due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The veteran's chronic low back strain is found to be related to service, while other low back disabilities are not shown to have originated in-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back and neck disabilities are service-connected, but his coccyx/tailbone disability and right flank disability were not found to be related to service. The initial ratings for the left little finger and right ring finger scars remain at zero percent.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with spasms, disc protrusion at L5-S1, and mild degenerative disc disease was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective April 26, 1993. The right patellar fracture residuals were initially evaluated as 20 percent disabling from April 14, 1998.