Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder based on new and material evidence. The veteran's low back disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, effective from April 1997. The low back injury issue is pending as it appears to be part of an appeal but there are issues regarding timeliness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized as traumatic disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with lumbosacral strain, warrants a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5293. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on intervertebral disc syndrome or other diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective as of November 18, 1997. The claim for increased disability rating for residuals of an old fracture of the left femur with limitation of motion and slight knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant evaluations in excess of those currently assigned.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and extraschedular evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct examinations, and consider whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his right leg disability did not result from the right total knee replacement and revision performed in a VA hospital. The effective date for service connection of degenerative joint and disc disease and stenosis of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, finding that new evidence was not provided to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of low back disorder. The other issues were also denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's central lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation beyond 20 percent, as there is no evidence of severe intervertebral disc syndrome or severe lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 20 percent rating for his service-connected low back disorder, finding that the reduction to a 10 percent rating was improper due to insufficient evidence of sustained improvement.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The right knee degenerative joint disease was not found to be service-connected.

The veteran's low back disorder with foot drop is rated at the highest possible disability level of 60 percent, and he meets criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his low back disorder was rated at 10 percent. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, effective March 31, 1997. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical development.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back pain, hallux rigidus, and left ankle sprain with instability were denied by the Board.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5295. The other conditions are not rated as compensable.

The Board has found that the veteran's service connection claim for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, based on direct evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The case was remanded due to a need for further development and examination.