Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, manifested by grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5-S1 with decreased disc space and moderate limitation of motion, warrants a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disability and an increased rating for his bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that these conditions were proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has completed a vocational rehabilitation program and is currently employed. Therefore, his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The veteran's mechanical low back pain has been assigned a 40 percent evaluation, and the Board has now granted an additional 20 percent rating to reach a total of 60 percent for this disability.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the underlying rating decisions are vacated.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis, do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected lumbar spine strain was granted, with the disability rated at 20 percent effective from March 5, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current back disorders are related to his service in March 1945.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his service, specifically jumping out of a helicopter from a height of fifteen feet during combat in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The issue of tinnitus is remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO assigned a noncompensable evaluation for his fracture of the left third finger due to self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, but it is unclear whether the claim will be granted or denied as the decision on the merits remains pending.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia based on new and material evidence provided by his attorney.,The Board denied reopening the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service, including his Army Reserve service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, transurethral resection of the prostate with penile implant, and low back disability was denied. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the veteran does not have a current low back disability related to his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back condition did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back condition, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, was not incurred in service or related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 18, 1990; during the period from September 18, 1990 to July 28, 1998, he had symptoms of pain and occasional radiating pain down one leg but no more than moderately disabling symptoms; since July 28, 1998, his disability was manifested by limited motion with additional neurological symptoms.

The veteran's cervical spondylosis is rated at 20 percent disabling, the lumbar myofascial injury with disc narrowing at 40 percent disabling, and the psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction at 10 percent disabling.