Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, effective from August 1999. The veteran continues to experience significant pain and functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and low back strain, but granted an increased evaluation of 30% for the veteran's left leg disability prior to March 28, 2001.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's current low back condition is found to be related to an injury in service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a left forearm scar and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine (claimed as a low back condition) must be remanded due to inadequate notice, incomplete application, and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are not well grounded and requires additional development to determine if there is evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current disabilities and his active service, including hearing loss, back disorder, skin rash, migraine headaches, haziness and forgetfulness with blurred vision, fatigue, and nerve condition. The claims were denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board is remanding the case due to a change in law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, requiring additional notification and development action.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including obtaining a complete rationale from VA examiners and recent treatment records.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective February 17, 2001.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) under Diagnostic Code 5293. The RO has granted a higher rating based on current evidence of moderate to severe limitation of motion and subjective complaints of pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in the law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, requiring additional development and consideration.

The veteran's nonservice-connected lumbosacral strain and mild degenerative disc disease do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, as they are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for lumbar myositis and for reopening his service connection claims for maxillary sinusitis and chest pain. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and new and material evidence was found in some cases but not sufficient to reopen all claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO granted a 40 percent rating for right shoulder calcific tendonitis status post surgery and a 20 percent rating for lumbar paravertebral myositis prior to November 19, 1999. A 50 percent rating was assigned for major depression and TDIU was granted. The RO also granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar paravertebral myositis effective November 19, 1999.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, effective January 6, 2000. The rating is based on moderate limitation of motion with pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension beyond the basic period of eligibility for a program of vocational rehabilitation training due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for a serious employment handicap.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including narcolepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, tendonitis (claimed as left arm pain), hypertension, sinus bradycardia, lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and sciatica, and cervical degenerative joint disease. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to an alleged error in a previous opinion.