Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease was granted, with a current evaluation of 40 percent effective since September 23, 2002.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine with disc protrusion at L4-5 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation since April 5, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glaucoma is service-connected, but his low back pain is not. The decision grants service connection for glaucoma and denies service connection for a low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive cardiovascular disease and spondylolisthesis and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, or heart disease disability and that his hypertension was not present during service or related to service. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, residuals of a right hand injury, and an increased evaluation for residuals of a left elbow fracture. The RO previously granted service connection for residuals of a left elbow fracture but assigned a noncompensable rating which was subsequently increased to 10 percent effective the date of his claim.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disability, a lumbar spine disability, and a bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence establishing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back disorder, bilateral amblyopia, and chronic head injury residuals are remanded to the RO.

The Board found that DDD of the spine was not related to service or a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of low back strain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and back pathology with arthritis of the lumbar spine. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of medical evidence, including VA spine and knee examinations.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain the veteran's military pay records from July to August 1975 and review his service medical records for continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's service-connected knee and back conditions were granted, with a 10% evaluation for each condition effective February 16, 2002. The left ankle tendonitis was found noncompensably disabling.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board found no evidence of current shoulder, allergic reaction to penicillin, or back disability. The veteran's service medical records do not show any chronic conditions related to these issues.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic acquired low back and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The case must be returned to the VBA AMC for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether there is a causal relationship between the service-connected right knee disability and the claimed low back and left hip disorders.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases used in the analysis of his PTSD claim, as well as other service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after further evidentiary development.

The Board found that lumbar spine spondylolisthesis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney and back disorders, finding that any conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.