Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

PTSD symptoms resulted in definite industrial and social impairment from March 1995 to October 28, 1996, warranting a 30% rating.,PTSD symptoms began causing severe social and industrial impairment starting October 29, 1996, warranting a 70% rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for additional medical records.

The veteran is seeking a higher evaluation for her service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The RO has ordered an additional VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 warrants a 40 percent disability rating, effective from February 2000.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a social and industrial survey. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated along with his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, effective from the date of the September 1983 rating decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, and thus granted the reopening. The Board also determined that the veteran's current low back disability was incurred during his active military service.

The veteran's PTSD and residuals of a left ankle fracture are rated at the maximum available. The chronic neck strain is granted with a 10 percent rating, but no increase in evaluation is granted. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach disorder to include peptic ulcer disease, flat feet, and a back disability to include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence submitted since the October 1997 decision was not considered new and material.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder, cervical spine HNP, and residuals of deviated nasal septum are all granted with the appropriate disability ratings. The right knee disorder remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and right os calcaneus fracture with residuals (right thoracotomy scar) are not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back strain disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is higher than the current rating of 20 percent. The evidence supports this increased rating based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of the previously denied claims for service connection for diphtheria, a back disorder or a leg disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to new evidence submitted since the final rating decisions. However, the merits of these claims are not decided as they involve a complex medical issue.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating schedule. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, back disorder, and tinnitus are denied.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff insufficiency and chronic impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, was granted. The right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for postoperative residuals with degenerative arthritis.,Service connection for the left foot disability has been established, and it is currently rated at 10 percent. Service connection for the low back disability has also been established, with a rating of 20 percent. The veteran's gynecomastia condition was granted service connection, with a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 26, 1996 for increased compensation and a total disability evaluation due to service-connected disabilities.