Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine, degenerative joint disease of the spine, and PTSD due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's back pain was not diagnosed or treated during service, nor within one year after discharge. His PTSD is not shown to have its origins in his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, primarily manifested by pain and normal range of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability. The claim for service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability was remanded.

The Board found that the additional evidence submitted since February 1997 was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of claims for service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not provided to reopen his claims. The RO assigned non-compensable evaluations for the postoperative residuals of a right inguinale hernia repair and patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and entitlement to TDIU due to failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding that any current conditions did not permanently worsen during military service.

The veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain results in a disability picture that more nearly approximates severe lumbosacral strain with marked limitation of extension and loss of lateral spine motion, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a 12th grade education and over 20 years of experience in the printing field. The Board finds no competent medical evidence indicating that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from obtaining employment.

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

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection of personality disorder. The claim of increased evaluation for depressive disorder was denied, and the claim of tinnitus was granted as incurred in service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which more nearly approximates moderate limitation of motion. The claim for increased rating for hearing loss remains unresolved.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain disability, which was already rated at 20 percent since July 14, 1992, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarifying whether the veteran is seeking Class III dental treatment and adjudicating his claim for service connection for bruxism due to service-connected low back strain.

The Board denied the claims for service connection of neck injury, back disorder, and seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding no clinical or medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include a request for an increased rating, reopening of a secondary service connection claim, and seeking service connection for intervertebral disc disease.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not service-connected and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a low back disorder. The decision found that diabetes mellitus did not begin in or was aggravated by service, and there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder.