Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected herniated lumbar disc, disability of the thoracic spine, and amblyopia of the right eye were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of the current ratings.

The RO has confirmed and continued the 20 percent evaluations for fibromyositis, generalized, left shoulder, right shoulder, and back. The appellant's unemployability is attributable to nonservice connected disabilities.

The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, but it did not reflect the extent of his disability. The Board found that the veteran's condition more nearly approximated a level of impairment consistent with severe functional loss of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back strain, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy. The claim for an increased rating for bursitis of the feet, ankles, and hands was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back strain, and right knee injury. The claim to reopen a left knee disorder was also denied. The veteran's hypertension claim was not reopened.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder. The issue is now on its merits.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board remanded the case, but the issues are now considered as resolved with a 10% rating assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolysis and lumbar disc disease, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen his claim and that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there was no clear intent to request service connection in 1988, and the earliest indication of such intent came after his discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is linked to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for the incremental increase in severity of his low back disability attributable to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for a low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to support it.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for COPD and a back disability. The claim for COPD was based on tobacco use, which is barred by law due to its effective date after June 9, 1998. The claim for a back disability was denied as new evidence did not reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for a low back disability should be May 11, 1993. The veteran's claim was initially denied in November 1993 but was later granted with an initial noncompensable evaluation effective July 13, 1995. The Board has now assigned the earliest possible effective date of May 11, 1993.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar stenosis is service-connected, as it was aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no competent persuasive medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board granted an effective date of July 31, 1992 for the assignment of a compensable rating (10%) for the veteran's service connected lumbar spine disability. The Board also granted a 20% evaluation from February 3, 1994.

The veteran's asthma, low back disorder, vaginitis and vaginal infections, and residuals of a C-section are all found to be service-connected.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain, including osteoporosis and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD, back disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, and hepatitis. The appeals were dismissed due to failure to file a timely appeal.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.