Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent rating, and his tendinitis of both feet warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective October 1, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and paraspinal muscle spasms, low back due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between his service and these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for skin rash, upper back disorder, headaches, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath, and memory loss and lack of concentration. The veteran's claims were based on his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater during the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability is now productive of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, warranting a higher rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left shoulder injury. The claim for secondary service connection for the cervical spine disability was denied.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with bulging discs is currently rated at 60 percent, representing pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The veteran's claim for spinal stenosis was denied in July 1998, but there is evidence suggesting it may be reopened.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, which was previously denied in April 1986. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation prior to March 28, 2000 was granted and he is now receiving the maximum disability rating of 60 percent.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue at hand is increased rating beyond 40 percent for service-connected chronic low back pain with retrolisthesis L5-S1.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted an increased rating. However, he remains unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted, including a clinical record from April 1968 and a chiropractor's opinion linking current degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 to an old sprain injury sustained in service. The claim is now on its merits.

The Board has granted a 60% disability evaluation for L5 - S1 degenerative disc disease effective from April 17, 2000. The veteran's claim was received on that date.

The Board denied service connection for hernia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines, residuals of a left knee injury, and residuals of a right foot injury. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of preexisting conditions or aggravation during active duty.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to June 10, 1998, was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of adequate examination and consideration of all applicable regulations.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee condition, involving a tear of the anterior body of the lateral meniscus, was incurred during active military service. The initial evaluations for low back disability and pes planus will be remanded for further review.