Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder, residuals of a left tonsil papilloma, and lung disorder. The decision also addressed an initial evaluation for residuals of a right zygoma fracture but did not assign any rating.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, effective April 22, 2019.

The Board denied the reopening of the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disorder superimposed on congenital spina bifida due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back strain with arthritis in sacroiliac joint, snapping iliotibial band syndrome of the right hip, and snapping iliotibial band syndrome of the left hip are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current functional loss.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized as lumbosacral strain, is rated at 10 percent effective January 5, 1996 to August 20, 1996. The rating for the right herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 with history of right leg numbness remains at 20 percent as of August 20, 1996. A 10 percent disability rating is granted for osteoarthritis of the knees and ankles effective December 1, 1996. The veteran's vagina cystocele and residuals of excised bilateral ganglion cysts are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from August 7, 1998.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain and found that the veteran's PTSD warranted a 50 percent rating since September 6, 1992.

The veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar myositis are rated at 20% each, but his other conditions do not warrant additional disability ratings. The Board denied pension benefits as the veteran is not unemployable due to these disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral defective hearing was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a recognized disability under VA regulations. The claims of service connection for low back disorder and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, L4-S1, with spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating to 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and other musculoskeletal issues. The decision also noted that new evidence submitted did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the cause of the veteran's death and whether his treatment for service-connected disabilities contributed to his suicide.

The Board has granted initial compensable evaluations (10%) for the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and right hip strain, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right femur disability. The evidence supports a 10% rating for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability in September 1997. The evidence received since then does not provide new and material information to reopen the claim.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for myalgia of the paraspinous lumbar muscles and denied an increased evaluation for herniated disc of the cervical spine, but allowed restoration of a previously assigned 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that this evaluation is appropriate and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected lumbar spine strain and a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to new legal requirements and additional development needed.