Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in the law regarding claims and the need for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 24, 1991, for a 60 percent evaluation for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine at L4-5 with puffed leg palsy and psychophysiological overlay. The issue regarding disorders of the feet was not addressed.

The veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is manifested by marked degenerative disc disease throughout the lumbar spine, severe limitation of motion, with complaints of radiating pain into the lower extremities and neurogenic claudication. The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for this condition.

The veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with secondary paravertebral fibromyositis, but the case has been remanded due to lack of recent medical records and need for further examination.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic low back pain with bulging disc at L4-5. The RO has not conducted a VA examination to differentiate the symptoms attributable to his service-connected condition from those caused by his post-service work-related injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements and need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed low back disorder, lung condition, skin rash of the armpits and groin, headaches, and a disorder manifested by numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes, all secondary to exposure to herbicides during service. The preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound with injury to the 5th cranial nerve (SFW) and traumatic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), maintaining their current ratings. The claim to reopen a low back disability was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current vasovagal syncope disability and denied service connection for this condition. For his low back disability, the Board noted evidence of chronic symptoms during service and after service, but concluded that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized by severe intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks and intermittent relief, warrants a 40 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for his low back condition, finding no evidence of a chronic disease or injury during service and insufficient medical evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current arthritis of the knees resulted from an in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for intermittent hematuria and low back pain due to sickle cell trait, finding that the veteran's functional impairment is indicative of moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a change in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to new information and development required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being reviewed with additional medical evidence and examination.

The veteran's claims for secondary service connection are being remanded to the RO for further examination and review in light of the VCAA.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5293.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee, right ankle, and low back disabilities did not originate in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.