Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to May 30, 2000 and increased to 20% after that date.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied on the basis that it was not well grounded. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, schedule the veteran for an orthopedic examination, and then readjudicate the claim in light of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations. The issues of increased ratings for low back disability and PTSD are being readjudicated.

The case is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining medical records and employment information. The veteran will undergo a VA examination to assess his service-connected low back disability and determine if he qualifies for a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no chronic condition in service and insufficient evidence to link current symptoms to service.

The Board has held that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury. The case is remanded to ensure due process and to obtain additional medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, with left sciatic radiculopathy, status post diskectomy, left L4-L5 and L5-S1, is currently rated at 60 percent. This rating reflects pronounced symptoms including pain, muscle spasms, weakness, and limited range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left foot, cervical spine, dorsal spine, and lumbar spine in April 1987 due to lack of evidence within one year post-service and non-traumatic nature. The veteran's motion argues that CUE was made in this decision.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current back, right knee, and right ankle disorders and his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the connection between the veteran's service, his service-connected back disability, a psoas abscess, and osteomyelitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right toe disorder, back disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claim for bilateral knee disability was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and special monthly pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor could it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disability due to new medical evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for gallbladder removal, lumbosacral strain, patellar realignment of the right knee, and patellar realignment of the left knee. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions warranted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board affirmed a reduction in disability rating from 60 percent to 40 percent for degenerative disk disease of the lumbosacral spine and also affirmed termination of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The veteran is alleging CUE in both decisions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left foot disabilities, as well as her lumbosacral strain disability, were denied. The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occasional flashbacks and sleep disturbances, with a GAF score of 70. The RO has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation.