Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, concluding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left footdrop and cervical disc disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability. The veteran is also entitled to a 60 percent evaluation for his service-connected degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spine, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The VA has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's osteoarthritis and disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, which is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 5293 (intervertebral disc syndrome).

The Board finds that the veteran's limited occupational and educational backgrounds, as well as his diagnosed psychiatric disorders, render him permanently and totally unemployable. Therefore, a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DDD at L5-S1 with a history of lumbosacral strain warrants a 40 percent disability rating, reflecting severe symptoms including recurring attacks and intermittent relief.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability including ankylosing spondylitis and hypertension secondary to the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various back conditions, finding that there was no prior authorization from VA for the private medical care received and that the treatment did not relate to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected scars and chronic lumbosacral strain, but granted a noncompensable evaluation for orchialgia.

The veteran's claims for a temporary total disability rating, service connection for low back disability, and increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and mitral valve prolapse. However, new evidence does not establish that these conditions were aggravated during active service or are otherwise related to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine and lumbosacral strain disabilities were denied, but he was granted compensable ratings effective March 13, 1993, and January 4, 1997.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, concluding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and skin rash were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back compression fracture, L1-L2, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the L5/S1 vertebral space, laryngitis and asthmatic bronchitis with sinusitis were denied. The DDD is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has vacated its October 1998 decision and remanded the case to develop and readjudicate the neck, left hip, and ulcer claims in light of recent legislation. The back and psychiatric claims are deemed intertwined with the neck claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, maintaining a 20% disability rating. The issue regarding new and material evidence for a cervical spine disorder was also denied.