Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which represents moderate impairment. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic lumbar myositis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disability and secondary service connection claims were denied. His right pubis and right leg disability is currently rated at 30 percent, while the scar is noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for nonservice-connected disability pension purposes, including consideration on an extra-schedular basis, was denied. The RO also considered service connection for right knee disorder but did not grant it.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left tibia is well-grounded, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,The veteran also submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disorder. The reopened claim is well-grounded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability evaluations for residuals of a lumbar spine injury, right shoulder injury, and cervical spine injury due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The current level of severity of these disabilities could not be determined without updated examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim to reopen his low back disorder was also granted, but the new evidence did not fully satisfy the criteria for reopening as it pertained to a different issue.

The Board found that the appellant's claim of service connection for a low back disability was not well grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking his current medical findings with his period of service or any service-connected disorder.

The Board denied service connection for stomach disorder, gastroenteritis and ulcers, low back disability, and heart disease. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material to reopen any of the claims.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for back disability is not well grounded due to lack of a chronic disability in service and inconsistent post-service medical history.,The Board also denied claims for service connection for right ankle disability, headaches, epitaxis (nose bleeds), and kidney stones.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, and his neck disability warrants a 10 percent rating. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was not well grounded due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards. The low back disability issue is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a psychiatric disorder. The low back disorder is considered to have existed prior to service, and was not aggravated by active duty. There is no evidence of a nexus between the psychiatric disorder and any incident of active duty.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder and left foot drop do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, back condition, skin condition, and bilateral knee condition are not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, but finds that it is not well-grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current condition to his period of service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of sebaceous cysts of the scrotum is granted.,The veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for a mixed headache disorder and for residuals of viral meningitis with low back pain, as well as compensable ratings for sinusitis, right shoulder tendonitis, and residuals of viral meningitis with cervical rigidity are considered well grounded.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is well-grounded and sufficient to establish service connection. The evidence shows back pain in service, continued treatment post-service, and diagnosis of lumbar paraspinal muscular strain and spasm.