Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of recent medical records and examinations related to the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim and is now considering whether service connection for a low back disability can be established.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board determined that the veteran's lumbar spine injury and head injuries are service-connected, with the lumbar spine injury being attributed to active service while the head injuries were not.

The Board finds that the appellant's lumbar spine injury did not worsen during his ACDUTRA service in 1994, and therefore does not meet the criteria for aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar strain was denied. The current rating is 10 percent, effective February 19, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, and her lumbosacral strain disability warrants an increased rating to 20 percent. The reduction in the lumbosacral strain rating from 20% to 10% was proper.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities have rendered him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or protect himself from hazards and dangers, warranting special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted a 40% evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, finding severe limitation of motion. The left ankle sprain was rated at 10%. No new evidence or reopening of claims were involved.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding reopening of service connection for low back disability due to lack of timely substantive appeal. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right knee disability resulting from VA treatment in August 1995 was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD and a permanent and total rating for pension purposes require additional development to verify specific in-service stressful events.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a neck disability and pulmonary disability, as well as bilateral hip, ankle, shoulder, knee, and back disabilities. The decision found no evidence of these conditions during service or due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, arthritis of the right hand, and arthritis of the left hand. The veteran's claims were not well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current low back disability or psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine is rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracic spine is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of temporomandibular joints is rated at 30 percent, which is already the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service, and instead resulted from post-service work-related injuries. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because his substantive appeal did not contain specific arguments regarding errors of fact or law in the RO's decision.

The veteran's appeal regarding CUE in the November 1970 decisions to grant service connection for his left thigh wound and lumbosacral spine condition has been dismissed as he did not file a timely appeal.