Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome is not well-grounded. The VA has denied the claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for residuals of a tracheostomy and left shoulder disability, as well as his claims for increased ratings for cervical strain with arthritis, thoracic spine arthritis, lumbar spine weakness, and right knee arthritis.

The Board has found that the veteran's AVM is a congenital condition and was aggravated by service, leading to his current disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of an arterial venous malformation of the spinal cord (characterized as a back condition) is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, warranting secondary service connection.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, but some issues remain pending. The initial evaluations and ratings for several of the veteran's disabilities are also established.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review in conjunction with recent legislation.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected back disability did not contribute to his death.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of service connection for lumbar strain with disc protrusion at L5-S1 and gout will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and ventral hernia.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder. The RO's June 1992 rating decision denying these claims remains final.

The Board has granted a combined rating of 100 percent for multiple joint arthritis, including right knee (rated 60%), lumbar spine (rated 40%), left knee (rated 30%), cervical spine (rated 30%), left shoulder (rated 30%), right shoulder (rated 20%), left ankle (rated 20%), right ankle (rated 20%), and left hip (rated 10%).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of back, ankle, hip, knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The rating for varicose veins remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it is currently evaluated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and administrative files, and will make a specific determination regarding the appellant's discharge from military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the legal requirements for these claims due to the timing of her original claim.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's post-operative lumbar laminectomy and fusion, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no evidence of a current low back disorder related to his military service or a service-connected disability. The cervical spondylosis with right radiculopathy C5-C6 was rated at 40%.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) as her husband had not been rated at a 100% disability level for eight or more years prior to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and ankle and knee disorders. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability in some cases or that the disabilities were not related to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease at L4-5, effective August 6, 1997.