Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's chronic lumbar strain, finding that his condition primarily manifested as limited motion with occasional pain producing no more than severe functional impairment. The disability was not found to meet criteria for a higher rating based on intervertebral disc syndrome or other specific conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus with tarsal tunnel syndrome and lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board found that a chronic low back disorder was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not causally related to the service-connected residuals of a fractured tailbone. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of a low back disorder and for increased evaluations for PTSD, post-traumatic migraine headaches, tinnitus, residuals of a left knee injury with post-traumatic arthritis, status post excision of fibromatosis with residual scar, and mid-occipital scalp scar. The RO confirmed noncompensable ratings for hearing loss and scar, residual of a left temple gunshot wound.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability during or immediately following service, and the appellant's current symptoms are not linked to his military service. The claim is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim alleging clear and unmistakable error in a July 1978 rating decision that denied entitlement to a higher disability rating for his back disability. The Board also denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of headaches.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back, left hand, and right hand disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis.,The veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney condition (claimed as chronic posterior urethritis) was reopened and granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for her back disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a rating.

The veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with L5-S1 spurring is currently manifested by back pain interfering with walking, sitting, standing, lying down, and sleeping. The RO denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for this condition.

The veteran died due to a severe concussion resulting from a motor vehicle accident. The Board found that the cause of death was his own willful misconduct, as evidenced by his high blood alcohol content at the time of the accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran's entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) arose prior to March 2000, and therefore grants an effective date of May 1, 1999 for this benefit.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and assigned a 10 percent initial evaluation for dysthymic disorder, both effective from March 2, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disorder, right leg varicose vein stripping scars, hemorrhoids, and knee disorders were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for any condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, and thus the claim is granted.

The Board has granted a total disability rating for the period preceding December 7, 1999 due to service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU due to his service-connected right knee instability and lumbar paraspinal muscle spasm, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations based on the current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development of evidence and to determine the current nature and etiology of his claimed lung and back disorders.