Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dermatophytosis of the feet, but denied service connection for a back disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and an upper back disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

For the period from February 3, 2000 until February 11, 2002, the veteran's right knee disorder was productive of extension limited to 15 degrees with pain. For the period beginning on February 12, 2002, the right knee disorder has been productive of extension limited to 30 degrees.,The veteran's lumbar spine disorder is productive of flexion to 70 degrees and extension to 20 degrees.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder due to the lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his chronic back pain is due to an injury sustained during active duty and linked to degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that a 10% evaluation is warranted for the veteran's service-connected low back condition with degenerative disc disease at the L5-S1 level, effective from February 19, 1993. The claimant was granted an increased evaluation to 20%, but the effective date remains March 31, 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back difficulties are not attributable to a land mine explosion in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability and determined that new evidence supports reopening the claim. The case is now reviewed de novo.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for scar, left forehead and service connection for residuals of a head injury (other than a forehead scar) and DDD of the cervical spine and lumbosacral disc bulge were denied. The veteran's claim for GERD was not addressed as it may be related to his service-connected headaches. Service connection claims for hypertension and nerves were also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 18, 1960 for the grant of service connection for a low back disability.

The Board found that a low back disorder is not related to service or the veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, determined to be directly related to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disability or any nexus between the veteran's service and his claimed disabilities. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for a lumbosacral strain, with disc disease and degenerative arthritis, and to a total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability due to significant changes in the relevant rating criteria.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating required for pension purposes. The veteran has multiple disabilities but can still engage in substantial gainful employment.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the service-connected low back disability, effective from June 6, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a VA examination and readjudication of his claim based on changes in the rating criteria. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected bilateral varicose veins or any other service event. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral varicose veins remains pending.