Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple disabilities of the spine, including degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, disc herniation, and sciatica. The Board also found that these conditions are causally related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not warrant a rating greater than 40 percent, and denied his claim for service connection for sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing its origin in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and hypertension had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, requiring further development and readjudication under the VCAA.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied because he failed to appear for VA examinations scheduled in December 1998 and April 2000, and there is no evidence of record showing that his disabilities render him permanently and totally disabled.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and a low back disorder, but granted service connection for PTSD effective July 20, 1998. The appeal is dismissed as to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, which includes pronounced symptoms of intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis, warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle since October 27, 1995. The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their specific diagnostic codes in the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5 warrants a rating of 60 percent, reflecting significant neurological findings and pronounced disability including pain and muscle spasm.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including arthritis. The BVA found that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and his current low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative low back disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective from February 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it was not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a significant change in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder have been denied due to lack of well-grounded claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, and therefore denied his claim.

The veteran's service does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his discharge being 'other than honorable' and lack of active duty during a period of war.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including arthritis, based on new and material evidence. The case is now remanded to determine if service connection should be granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 60 percent evaluation, which is more than the maximum available under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned separate 10 percent ratings for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthrosis and degenerative changes of the left knee, but did not grant any additional benefits.