Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not provide adequate clinical findings to determine if he requires assistance in performing daily needs or is housebound. The RO was directed to obtain recent treatment records and arrange for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back problems are related to his in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran has an employment handicap and meets the criteria for basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of compression fracture of the lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease, but denied any increase in rating for his thoracic spine disability.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is therefore denied a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The veteran is granted service connection for PTSD as it is found to be related to an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability was incurred during active service and granted service connection for residuals of a right knee injury. The issue of secondary service connection for low back pain is also addressed, but further development is needed to determine if there is a current low back disorder and its etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and bladder cancer, as well as service connection for lung cancer. The decision found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbosacral strain or bladder cancer, and there was no current lung cancer disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right 5th metacarpal joint, left knee injury, and lumbosacral strain disabilities.

The appellant's disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, are sufficient to warrant a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and for reopening his claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain, cervical spine disability, and left foot disability have been granted increased ratings to a total of 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The September 1998 rating decision is considered final.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions are not severe enough to require such accommodations.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation. His service-connected sinusitis with headaches is also currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to a special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, as she does not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder with numbness in the legs related to service, and denied the veteran's claim.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of low back strain were found to not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 11, 1999 and on or after that date. The appeal was denied.

The veteran's appeals were not timely filed, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to review these claims.