Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disorder and gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for dizzy spells, a bilateral leg disability, and a back disability as secondary to the service-connected bilateral heel disorder. However, evaluations in excess of 10 percent have been denied for both right and left heel disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's lumbar degeneration, effective June 7, 2001. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

For the period from October 9, 1992 to April 21, 1995, the veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent.,From April 22, 1995 to October 21, 1996, a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability was granted.,For the period beginning October 22, 1996, a 30 percent rating for the cervical spine disability was assigned.,Since April 18, 2000, the veteran has been rated at 10 percent for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The right shoulder injury residuals are currently manifested but do not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia, finding no current disabilities and assigning the maximum possible rating under applicable codes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability, have permanently precluded gainful employment compatible with his education and occupational experience since January 7, 1997. A total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted effective from September 30, 1997.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, L4-L5 and L5-S1, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a claim. The decision was based on the lack of chronic disability during or immediately after service and the absence of post-service medical records linking the current condition to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in September 1977. The reopening of this claim allows for further consideration on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine with pelvic tilt, arthritis of multiple joints, and bronchial asthma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected disability of the lumbar segment of the spine, effective from December 1998.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, with bilateral radiculopathy, muscle spasms, and intermittent paresthesias is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and for reopening his claim of entitlement to service connection for variously diagnosed eye disorders. The RO affirmed previous denials of these claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, status post right knee meniscus tear, and residuals of a bone chip in the right hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder (poison ivy dermatitis), dental trauma, respiratory disorders, and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings and extraschedular evaluations due to incomplete development of evidence, particularly regarding employment impact and neurological issues.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, as well as service connection for nicotine dependence. The low back disorder and arthritis of the left wrist and knee are found to be related to service. However, no new or material evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for these conditions.