Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for special monthly pension benefits due to a lack of evidence showing that he requires regular aid and attendance or is substantially confined to his dwelling.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and tendinitis of the left shoulder have been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability effective from December 6, 1991.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as the claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a right meniscectomy. The veteran's current right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board granted a 40% evaluation for the veteran's low back disability and found that he is entitled to TDIU benefits based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's continued authorization to receive monthly fee-basis outpatient psychotherapy is denied as VA facilities in Albuquerque are capable of providing such care, and it would not impose undue hardship on him.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased evaluation for his back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of the U.S. Code is denied because her service-connected low back strain does not prevent her from performing her current occupation as an Environmental Police Officer.

The Board determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current back disability or psychiatric disorder to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that an effective date of March 21, 1996, is warranted for a 40 percent evaluation for chronic lumbar strain with sacralization, L5.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 40 percent rating, with an effective date to be determined.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back condition. The issue of an increased rating for schizophrenia remains pending, as does the claim for TDIU based on multiple disabilities.

The veteran's hospitalization from August 3, 1992 to October 7, 1992 was not due to the need for treatment of a service-connected disability. The VA did not find that any treatment for lumbosacral strain was instituted and continued during this period.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for a low back disability to the right knee. The claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA medical treatment was also denied.

The veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection for IBS and bipolar disorder, but the RO found no evidence of claims prior to the date of receipt of their respective applications.,For low back disability, the veteran sought an increased rating from 40% to 60%, which was granted on December 14, 1994. He now seeks an earlier effective date.

The veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5292 for moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found that the appellant is not in need of aid and attendance or housebound due to her disabilities, thus denying her claim for additional death pension benefits.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension, but not for lumbosacral strain. The appellant's hypertension was diagnosed post-service, and his back problems were considered acute in service without residual disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation on account of loss of use of the right foot due to his service-connected conditions, as he can still walk for up to 10-15 minutes without assistance and there are no reported trophic or circulatory changes.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of lumbar spine injury, status post laminectomy, effective from December 17, 1997. The temporary total convalescent rating beyond April 30, 1998 was denied.