Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist sprain, lumbar strain, corneal abrasion of the left eye, and anaphylactic sensitivity to fire ant venom were denied as there is no current evidence of a disability related to these conditions. The stress fracture of the right leg and bilateral hearing loss have been granted but with noncompensable evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned.

The veteran's disabilities, including a left upper extremity condition, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and dysthymic disorder, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as they are not rated at 40% or more combined with additional disability sufficient to bring the combined evaluation to 70% or more.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims. The RO also denied an increased rating for conversion reaction.

The veteran's back disability, which was aggravated by a fall and injury during VA treatment in 1989, is granted compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a right leg disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The RO must issue a SOC on these issues.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) in March 1989, finding that his combined disability rating of 80% did not render him totally unemployable. The decision is final.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran had a preexisting back condition prior to service. The Board also found no increase in severity of this condition during service, concluding it was resolved by the time of discharge. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back condition has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence does not support a rating in excess of zero percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected low back disability. The claim will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the appellant, including an opinion from his orthopedic surgeon linking his current condition to events in service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's current back disorder is related to an injury noted in service, but not to his intercurrent work-related injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for another VA examination to determine if the veteran's current low back complaints are related to service.

The veteran's claim for a rating exceeding 50 percent for the service-connected disability of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The case is being remanded for further development and re-adjudication.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, as well as an increase in his rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, initial noncompensable evaluations for thrombophlebitis of both arms, and an initial 10 percent evaluation for varicose veins of the right lower extremity due to her failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral knee condition. The right patella instability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative discopathy at L5-S1, finding that the veteran's severe limitation of motion meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the thoracic, cervical, and lumbar spine.