Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. The case was remanded due to insufficient analysis regarding the presumption of soundness and aggravation.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for PTSD, and his degenerative disc disease of the spine and degenerative joint disease of the spine were not incurred in service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with secondary degenerative arthritis, thoracic spine degenerative arthritis, right ankle fracture and chronic synovitis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected residuals of fractured right wrist and left pubis rami, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the presence of neurological manifestations due to his cervical spine disorder.

The Board finds that the veteran's back disability, characterized by pain and degenerative changes, warrants a 40% evaluation effective from May 16, 2001.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back condition to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent prior to September 29, 1999 for his low back disability and for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected sacroiliac weakness is asymptomatic and denied an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, flatfeet, skin disorder, headaches, nosebleeds, sleep apnea, joint pain, depression with memory loss, sexual dysfunction, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident during service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The veteran's spine disabilities are remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her service medical records and Social Security Administration records. She will also be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of her low back condition and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability and service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to the toes, bilaterally. The appeal is based on the original grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip arthritis, and disabilities of the knees and ankles. The appeals were not granted.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals fracture transverse process L1, L2 and L3 with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted. His bilateral hearing loss rating remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an examination to determine if his current back disorder is related to injuries sustained during service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability and for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence to support a higher evaluation or a secondary relationship between his service-connected condition and his current health issues.