Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran did not have a low back disability incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. For his right knee disability, he was granted an initial rating of 10% but denied any increase to higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestos exposure and a current rating in excess of noncompensable for his lumbar strain with degenerative changes, finding that there was no evidence of asbestosis or other asbestos-related disease. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for the lumbar strain with degenerative changes is maintained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, as well as her claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a left hip disability. The low back disability was also denied. The veteran is currently rated at 20% for both knees combined.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ankle sprain, severe, lateral ligament condition is granted. Service connection for a low back condition and right leg/right ankle condition secondary to the service-connected left ankle condition are also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the original rating decision is still pending.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and low back strain are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's back scoliosis and right knee degenerative joint disease were not found to be related to service. However, the left lung tumor was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability, but did not determine whether this condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbosacral back disorder, finding that his complaints of back pain in service were manifestations of scoliosis and there was no evidence of an injury or increase in disability during service.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted as of December 10, 1996. The decision also considers the possibility of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of low back disability. The other issues were also denied as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not warrant a restoration of a 20 percent rating as his symptoms have improved and do not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability, including low back pain, spondylolysis at L5-S1, and degenerative changes, finding that his active military service aggravated a congenital condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 30, 1997 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The RO received no claim from the veteran identifying a back disorder before this date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in VA regulations and the need for additional service records, as well as post-service medical records.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to ensure that all necessary development has been completed, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's lumbar spine injury, effective from February 25, 1998. The evaluation was based on current manifestations of severe pain and neurological deficit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 40 percent disability rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5293 for severe intervertebral disc syndrome.