Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and assigned disability ratings for his PTSD, bilateral hip disorders, and low back disorder. The appeals regarding these issues are now closed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluation for his claimed disabilities, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors and that the residuals of his stress fracture were essentially asymptomatic.

The veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine is rated at 60 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5293.

The veteran's residuals of a lumbar laminectomy at L5 with spondylosis are manifested by muscle spasm, chronic pain on all motion that significantly limits the functional ability. The Board has determined that a 60 percent evaluation is warranted based on pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 70%, which meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that a partial waiver of overpayment in the amount of $6,061 and $111 was consistent with equity and good conscience. Recovery of the remainder of the overpayments would not violate principles of equity and good conscience.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and PTSD, as well as his claim for glaucoma. The decision also addressed an increased rating for anxiety disorder and a temporary total hospitalization rating issue.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's testimony and medical records support his assertion that he suffered from a back injury during service, which resulted in ongoing pain and required surgery.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of lacerations to the right upper extremity are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his severe psychiatric impairment, pain, nervousness, anxiety, and impairments of concentration and memory has been established. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting the Board to dismiss it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed lumbar strain with pain and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is not related to his period of active military service. The Board also found no evidence of PTSD in the record.

The Board denied the appellant's attempt to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a total disability evaluation, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and requested additional evidence. The VA is required to ensure all notification and development action under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is completed.

The veteran's service-connected right fifth metacarpal fracture is rated at 10 percent, and his chronic low back pain is found to be related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back and left knee disorders, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain, including consideration of a separate rating for arthritis and an extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability. The Board denied the claim as not being well grounded, but the Court remanded it due to the VCAA.