Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle sprain and back disorder were denied. The claim for deviated nasal septum was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain with sacroiliitis and ankylosing spondylitis is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. The veteran's limitation of motion of the dorsal spine due to ankylosing spondylitis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of receipt of his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the claim is still pending as it must be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board finds no evidence of current disabilities involving the eyes, low back or ankles. The veteran's service medical records do not show chronic disability in these areas. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, and lumbosacral spine to 20 percent each.

The Board found that the veteran's polyarthritis was not caused by VA medical treatment, including his use of Gemfibrozil. The bilateral hip degenerative joint disease with bilateral total hip replacements, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine were also determined to be unrelated to VA treatment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability. The current medical evidence supports the conclusion that the veteran's current back disability is related to injuries sustained during his active military service.

The veteran's disabilities, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year thereafter. The VA examiner concluded that the current neck and low back disabilities are not related to an inservice parachute jump.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and back disability. The additional evidence received since the February 1997 rating determination was deemed insufficient to change this decision.

The VA denied a claim for an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show any significant impairment warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his skin disorder and psychiatric disorder claims have also been referred back to the RO.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5293.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis, right knee injury, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and left shoulder injury are all rated at their highest possible levels. The scar of the right lower leg is also rated appropriately.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the May 1997 rating decision denying service connection for hypertension secondary to pneumoconiosis.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has decided that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The decision is based on conflicting information provided by the veteran and his representative, as well as missing medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other relevant laws, regulations, and guidance. The RO must obtain all pertinent medical records, including those from VA and non-VA providers, and afford the veteran comprehensive examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.