Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a chronic low back disability manifested by low back pain and bilateral buttock and lower extremity numbness, finding that it was not caused by or increased in severity due to VA treatment.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, defective vision, sleep apnea, pes planus, high pulse rate, asthma with bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, myofascial pain syndrome of the right shoulder, myofascial pain syndrome of the left shoulder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that new evidence was needed to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar strain, as well as his secondary claims for right foot and right knee disabilities. The RO found that the veteran's lumbar strain was manifested by episodic muscle spasm and complaints of pain, resulting in no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence related to his Social Security Disability claim. The RO must review the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, a back disability, and post traumatic stress disorder in light of any additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, including neurological deficit. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left long finger injury and abdominal pain, finding no current diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhagic fever, an eye condition, and a low back condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including notification of the VCAA and VA's re-defined duties to assist and notify. The veteran should be asked to provide information regarding the date he became totally disabled due to his service-connected back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise a previous decision, stating that there was no clear and unmistakable error in denying an earlier effective date for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for lumbosacral strain, stating that no CUE was found in previous decisions and that the claim is based on facts ascertainable within one year of June 26, 1990.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 6, 1993 to May 17, 1996 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent as of and since May 18, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current genitourinary and back disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back disability and a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected low back disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and other pertinent documents.