Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was aggravated during his second period of active service, and thus grants service connection for post-operative residuals, lumbar disc herniation.

The veteran's combined disability rating is no more than 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder and major depression rendered him unemployable as of June 10, 1997. His effective date for TDIU is therefore set to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The issue remains pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for low back strain and granted it. The veteran's pes planus, bilateral, continues to be rated at 30 percent.

During the period from March 17, 1979 through March 28, 1993, the veteran's service-connected low back disorder produced impairment equivalent to lumbosacral strain with characteristic pain on motion. The RO granted a 10 percent rating for this period.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities include bilateral pes planus, residuals of frostbite of the right and left feet, and a low back disorder. The RO granted increased ratings for these conditions and also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, organic mental disorder, left seventh cranial nerve disability, loss of sense of smell, and head, neck and facial scars are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The cervical spine disability with limitation of motion is granted a 20% rating.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability has not worsened to the extent that it precludes him from performing his previously rehabilitated occupation as a business manager. The Board denied the claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension, asthma, and mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease L5/S1 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO continued the current 20 percent evaluation for the low back disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain since February 28, 2000. Prior to that date, the veteran's disability picture did not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral sprain, with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and arthritis, results in severe impairment that warrants a 40 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective December 4, 1996. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the appellant. The claim will be further evaluated on its merits.

The Board denied a compensable rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left testicular disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's cervical spine osteophytes with radiculopathy and has assigned a 20% rating. The ratings for the right knee, left knee, hypertension, and low back condition are all in accordance with current regulations.

The Board finds that the veteran's back disorder and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) do not meet the criteria for service connection or a higher initial disability rating, respectively. The evidence does not establish a current disability related to service, nor does it show symptoms of significant impairment warranting a higher rating.