Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected low back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent.

The veteran's service-connected left thumb and index finger disabilities are rated at 40 percent combined. The right little finger disability is rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 21, 1993 or any date earlier than has been assigned for the grants of service-connected disability benefits. The veteran was granted service connection and increased ratings for various conditions but there is no evidence that a claim was submitted prior to April 30, 1996.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which is now granted. The examiner found that the current lumbar spine disorder is more likely than not related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The veteran seeks service connection for chronic lumbar muscular strain, mild degenerative spondylosis, chronic adductor tendonitis, and early degenerative joint disease of the hips. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's seizure disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The low back disability claim had no new and material evidence to reopen it, leading to a denial as well.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Board denied service connection for a skin rash of the elbows, a back disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, residuals of dislocation of the right middle finger, and a tail bone disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus with an initial rating of 0 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 18, 2002 for a 60 percent evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. The earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the disability had increased in severity was June 27, 2002.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to evaluate the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, given the revised criteria for rating spine disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or render him unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted but concluding that the veteran did not have a chronic back disability incurred in active duty.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but not for the low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, cervical spine, bilateral foot and toe disabilities, and right ear hearing loss. The veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a September 2002 VA X-ray report and an attorney's November 2002 letter.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, with the exception of conjunctivitis. The left elbow disability is found to be related to service and rated at 20 percent. Other conditions are also found to be related to service.

The veteran claims compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the left leg and low back as a result of surgical treatment by VA in January 1961. The Board has remanded the case to ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for cervical spine disability, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, low back disorder (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), hypertension, edema of the feet, ankles, hands, abdomen, and face, diabetes mellitus, abnormal laboratory findings, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, liver disability (to include cirrhosis), respiratory (lung) disability, osteoarthritis of the major and minor joints, eye disability, tremors of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, Meniere's syndrome, headaches with dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness, chronic Candida, low back pain with pain radiating into the hips (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), an acquired hamstring disorder, an acquired bilateral hip disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral elbow disorder. However, service connection is not established for any of these conditions.