Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The issue of service connection for PTSD will be addressed in the remand section.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 1, 2000 for the payment of additional compensation for his spouse has been granted. The effective date is set at February 1, 1997, which aligns with the date of a 100% rating for prostate cancer.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60% rating for degenerative disc disease at C3-7 with radiculopathy was denied as there is no legal basis under the law to assign such a date.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disability, and Tse-Tse syndrome. The claim for hypertension on secondary basis is granted with a 30% evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back strain does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his case.

The VA denied compensation benefits for additional disability of the cervical spine and a left shoulder disability as secondary to surgery and treatment at a VA medical facility from August to October 1991.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's back disorder, characterized by chronic low back pain with sciatic neuralgia, is causally related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted an increased disability evaluation of 40 percent for the veteran's DJD of the cervical spine, effective September 30, 1991. The claim for a higher rating for the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of current tuberculosis or a current diagnosis related to service, and denied the veteran's claim for tuberculosis. The back disorder issue was remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to her service-connected disabilities, as well as her other nonservice-connected conditions. The RO found that she did not meet the percentage requirements for a combined rating of 70% or more.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as clarification of his claims.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease did not begin during service or due to exposure to herbicides, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disability from July 1, 2000.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from February 20, 1996. The disability is characterized by pain on motion and does not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hip disability, both of which are considered direct service connection. The RO will proceed with a determination on the merits of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and dermatofibrosarcoma, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or after service. The claim for maxillary sinusitis was granted with a zero percent rating effective from September 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hearing loss, and a leg disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.