Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the ankles, degenerative changes of the lumbar and thoracic spine, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine have been granted. The veteran is currently assigned a noncompensable rating for arthritis in both knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's history of back injury with residual low back pain is due to an injury incurred in service, granting service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the extent of his knee disabilities. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability will be addressed separately.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not permanently and totally preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is 30 percent.

The veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from December 1997. The claim for service connection for sciatica remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back strain disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disc disease and right foot fracture with residual arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left ankle. However, the Board has also determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Montgomery, Alabama, Regional Office denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The veteran's service-connected back injury is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, reflecting the severity of his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed PTSD, low back disability, tinea versicolor, headache disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are not related to service. The VA has made efforts to obtain the veteran's service medical records but was unable to locate them.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, with postoperative residuals of a laminectomy and diskectomy at L5-S1.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for an increased rating for a T-12 compression fracture and spurring, as well as a claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development of the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial noncompensable ratings for his low back disorder, sinusitis, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, left wrist ganglion cyst, left shoulder disability, right knee disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine proper initial ratings.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected low back strain does not warrant a higher rating as it is currently manifested by intermittent muscle spasm and characteristic pain on motion.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's low back disability is the sole service-connected condition, rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding it to be a direct result of his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a low back disability as a result of VA medical treatment, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the lumbosacral spine and legs and knees, bilaterally. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending.