Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of an injury or disease in service, and the Board found that competent medical evidence does not reveal a low back disorder related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar-sacral spine, and pes planus.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for right shoulder, ankle fracture, and low back disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbar puncture and spondylolysis of L4, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and neck scarring, including as due to exposure to herbicide are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for a total rating by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for low back pain, finding no new and material evidence that would support a grant of service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to new evidence presented, and finds that it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is reasonably incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including medical examinations and opinions regarding service connection for a prostate disorder and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The appeal is being remanded for these actions.

The veteran's arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, left hip, right hand, and left hand are all rated at 10 percent. The rating for arthritis of the right shoulder has been increased to 30 percent effective November 23, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability has been granted. His TDIU claim remains pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have current disabilities related to hives, wrist disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a lumbar spine disorder. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis and seasonal allergies and migraine headaches.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized as lumbar strain, has been rated at 20 percent since July 5, 1995. The most recent VA examination in November 2002 showed a range of motion of the lumbar spine with some limitation due to pain and no significant neurological deficits. However, the veteran's disability does not meet or approximate criteria for an evaluation higher than 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to his hemorrhoids, hearing loss, and lumbar strain. The appeals on whether a timely appeal was filed on the neck and arm disorder issues have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's inability to attend a scheduled hearing, and requests for a Travel Board hearing are pending.