Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his low back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. His claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to individual unemployability is granted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1983 decision that established service connection for lumbosacral strain with a 10% evaluation, but did not address the veteran's claim regarding his laceration to the back/buttocks area. The appeal was denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for injuries sustained during her reserve service, including back and hip disabilities. The VA has not yet addressed the claim for right hip disability. Additional examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's overpayment of disability compensation benefits should be waived for a portion covering December 1, 1994, through March 31, 1998. However, recovery is denied for the period from October 1, 1994, through November 31, 1994.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder. The Board has scheduled a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, but the veteran failed to attend the scheduled hearings and now requests a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is attributable to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not eligible for financial assistance in acquiring a stair glide due to existing service-connected disabilities and previous use of a one-time specially-adapted housing benefit. The appeal is denied.

The case is being remanded for further action regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for chronic back strain and the entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease.

The veteran's appeal was denied as he did not meet the legal requirements for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical treatment due to lack of emergent nature and feasible availability of VA facilities.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an orthopedic examination to determine the cause of current symptoms and whether the veteran can obtain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disability. The increased evaluation claim will also be re-adjudicated.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder and also denied his secondary service connection claim for hypertension. The decision concluded that there was no evidence of a service-connected back disorder, and thus, hypertension could not be considered secondary.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected residuals of a fracture to the third lumbar vertebra with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain was not warranted due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for hiatal hernia. The effective date was not established as requested.

The VA determined that the veteran's additional disability of the lumbosacral spine was not caused by VA medical treatment in 1992, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain are not related to his service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of both claims for service connection and increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board finds a reasonable possibility exists that further examination or development will aid in establishing service connection for visual disability and tension headaches.,There is no reasonable possibility of establishing service connection for memory loss or profuse sweating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder as a residual of mustard gas exposure and for a low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for lumbar scoliosis and residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding new and material evidence. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is also well-grounded. Service connection will be granted for these conditions as secondary to service-connected PTSD.