Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with arthritis is being remanded due to procedural errors and the need to consider revised rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, a low back disorder, and a lung disorder claimed as lung scarring. The claim to reopen a throat disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a pulmonary function test and considering whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder bursitis, ear disability, sinus disability, low back disability (to include arthritis), and neck disability. Service connection was granted for bursitis of the right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's chronic lumbar spine disorder with left foot drop.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including SSA records and a VA skin examination.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder did not result from an in-service injury and is not otherwise due to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any low back, hip, knee, or pes planus disability that might be present.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of arthritis, lumbar spine, and spinal stenosis and fusion has been reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the December 1986 rating decision denying service connection was clearly erroneous and granted a retroactive effective date of March 25, 1982.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for a back disorder and dermatophytosis. The evidence submitted since the January 1991 decision was found not new and material.

The Board has remanded this case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted, with a 40 percent rating effective February 28, 2002. The RO also granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for atherosclerosis, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the right hip as these conditions are not shown to be related to service. The claims for residuals of malaria, dysentery, malnutrition, beriberi, psychiatric disorder, numbness of the hands and legs, asthmatic coughs and colds, poor vision, hearing loss, hernia, and diarrhea have also been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 20% rating, reflecting complaints of pain and occasional swelling, as well as instability.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with an examination to assess his employability.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling from May 23, 2001. The VA has granted this rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a 50 percent evaluation as of October 23, 1996. Prior to this date, an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his scars, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for separate evaluations for his scars.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing back disability was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.