Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of current psychoneurosis hysteria or low back strain, and denied service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO confirmed the current evaluations of his eczematoid dermatitis (10%) and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (40%).

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and migraine headaches. The appellant's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports the veteran's contention of in-service injury resulting in current chronic low back strain.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 3, 1994 through July 5, 1994 at the Philippine General Hospital is denied as none of the required criteria have been met.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as there was no earlier effective date granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 24, 2000 for a 40% disability rating for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the neck and low back, as well as his claim to reopen a stomach disorder secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also noted that new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the stomach disorder claim.

The Board determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, concluding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision is based on the fact that the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the spine began many years after separation from service and was not related to any incident of service.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's back disability.

The veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus, is rated at 60 percent under the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome due to pronounced symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease, with sciatic nerve condition of the left leg, was incurred in service. The March 1946 rating decision denying residuals of a pilonidal cystectomy is not considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids, headaches, and a low back disability may not be reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tension headaches, which began during his service in the Persian Gulf, are related to his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back pain, currently rated at 20 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for PTSD and Crohn's disease, but denied service connection for a back disorder. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected anxiety and conversion reaction with headaches, low back pain, fatigue, and insomnia.