Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, and his right shoulder disorder was incurred in service.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, which is manifested by protruded right fifth disc with lumbosacral strain and has been rated at 20 percent since 1980, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this rating due to lack of significant symptoms related to the condition. The examiner concluded that most of the veteran's reported pain and weakness are secondary to his stroke.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic low back syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected idiopathic scoliosis of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and low back disorder due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, effective from May 4, 1989. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied. Service connection for chronic skin disorder and recurrent swelling of upper extremities is not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic back disorder or a disability of the elbows that was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence showing a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including amblyopia of the left eye, headaches, a left arm/shoulder disorder, and a left hand disorder. The low back disorder was granted with a 10 percent rating, but no hearing loss rating was assigned.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and joint space narrowing of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, an eye disorder, residuals of a left inguinal hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and a dental disorder. The RO found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

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

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

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to increased evaluations.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and right plantar fasciitis with an anterior calcaneal spur, finding that these conditions likely began during military service.

The veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied as the service-connected disabilities do not qualify under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's back disability, and additional VA examination is required. The SSA records are also needed for review.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left thigh muscle disability was denied. The RO also remanded the secondary service connection claim for a low back disorder, but did not specify whether it would be granted or denied.

The Board denied secondary service connection for back and right knee disabilities, granted a 10 percent rating for the right ankle disability, but denied an increased rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right thigh.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted was not significant enough to warrant reopening the case.