Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected gunshot wound to the left iliac region, hemorrhoids, and lumbosacral paravertebral myositis was denied. The RO granted a 40% evaluation for lumbosacral paravertebral myositis effective December 30, 1999.,The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 40% rating of lumbosacral paravertebral myositis was also denied. The RO found that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities was not warranted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1958 rating decision regarding service connection for lumbar muscle strain or arterial bypass graft, as the evidence then of record supported the decisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU were also addressed, with the latter being granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for low back disability and residuals of facial trauma, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims. The claim for residuals of facial trauma was also denied as it is not well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected back disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the RO granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted effective October 15, 1999. The Board found that the earlier April 1996 claim was abandoned due to the veteran's failure to provide missing evidence within one year after being requested to do so.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired back disorder and schizophrenia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are not related to his service and that he does not have a chronic disability as a result of disease or injury during service.

The Board determined that the veteran's chronic acquired low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for astigmatism and a back disorder have been denied. The claim for service connection for the back disorder has been reopened, but new evidence does not establish that the current condition is related to service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, spondylolysis of the lumbar spine, and sinusitis. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but assigned noncompensable evaluations.

The veteran's low back disability is service-connected, and his atrial fibrillation is rated at 10 percent. The veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to recent episodes of atrial fibrillation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, coronary artery disease (CAD), and eye disorders. The claim for a compensable rating for infectious jaundice is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current conversion disorder or psychiatric diagnosis, and therefore cannot be granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a conversion reaction associated with post-operative residuals of a right ankle injury. The claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders are held in abeyance pending completion of further development.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted with an effective date of February 11, 2000. The veteran's daughter is also eligible for Dependent's Educational Assistance under Chapter 35.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining records from vocational rehabilitation programs and private medical providers. The appellant's claim for a total rating by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic lumbar disc disease with fusion at L2-L4, stenosis at L5-S1, and radiculopathy, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the RO's May 2000 decision denying reopening of claims for service connection for ulcers and an upper back condition is final. The evidence submitted since the May 1997 rating decision does not present new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.