Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities have not been met due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to service. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed spinal cord injury, Brown-Squard syndrome, and brain stem injury did not have its onset during service or are otherwise unrelated to any disease, injury, or event in service. The other conditions were also found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease was evaluated as 40 percent disabling since May 27, 1998 under Diagnostic Code 5293. The right hip disability claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar laminectomy residuals warrant a schedular rating of 60 percent, effective from September 23, 2002.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, sinusitis (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness), fibromyositis (claimed as due to undiagnosed illness), thyroid disorder, and skin disorder. The appeals are granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to service and grants this claim. The left knee and low back disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. Both claims were previously denied, and no new and material evidence was received to reopen either claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current acquired lower back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities during or after service.

The Board found that the appellant's current back disorder is not related to an injury sustained during active duty for training in July 1990, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that additional procedural and evidentiary development is required, including obtaining National Guard service records and VA treatment records for dysthymic disorder and lumbosacral strain. The veteran's claim will be remanded to the AMC for further action.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60 percent, which is required to establish entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran submitted an informal claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability on February 2, 1983. The appeal is now remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral trench foot and pulmonary tuberculosis, but these claims were denied as there is no competent evidence linking current disabilities to service. The claim for PTSD and low back injury residuals remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such an increase.

The Board denied service connection for back disability and a compensable rating for residuals of avulsion fracture of the left heel, finding no evidence of chronicity in service or current disability related to service. Service connection was granted for corns and calluses of the feet.

The Board determined that the veteran's current chronic low back disability is related to post-service injury or injuries, but his service-connected October 1951 low back injury during active duty was acute and resolved without leaving chronic residual disability.