Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected lumbar instability with spondylolysis at L5 and degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent from November 21, 2002 to May 1, 2003. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability. The other issues on appeal are still pending.

The veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection were denied. The Board found that her headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and her claim of an undiagnosed illness was not supported by evidence.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an employment handicap and is already suitably employed, thus denying his claim for vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disorder are being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a distinct left leg disorder, loss of use of legs, or right arm disorder. The symptomatology claimed as left leg disorder and loss of use of legs is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The symptomatology claimed as right arm disorder is related to his non-service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain with osteo-arthritic changes was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and an upper respiratory disorder (sinusitis/allergic rhinitis), as well as his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residual burns sustained in service. The appeals were based on direct evidence, without any presumption or secondary relationship to a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back strain associated with spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, and spina bifida occulta is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and found that there is an approximate balance of evidence to support the claim. The Board determined that it was at least as likely as not that the veteran's current back disability, including lumbosacral spine stenosis with right L5-S1 radiculopathy and degenerative changes in the lower lumbar spine, was related to his active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum VA medical opinions. The claims for increased rating of depression, service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for a low back disability are also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is reasonably attributable to service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is at least as likely as not caused by an injury sustained during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded for further action including addressing the issues of reopening service connection claims and increasing the rating for kidney stones. The veteran's medical records will be requested to ensure all relevant evidence has been considered.

The veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating, effective September 23, 2002. His peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were each granted a 20 percent rating, also effective September 23, 2002.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the case due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's current low back and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board finds that the criteria for a 40 percent rating, from January 17, 1996, for chronic lumbar strain with discogenic disease have been met.