Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are service-connected, with no presumption or new evidence involved.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected sacroiliac injury with arthritic changes of the lumbar spine requires further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging appropriate examinations to determine the current severity and nature of his disability. The case is being remanded to the RO for these actions.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) L4-5, effective September 23, 1999. The condition was found to be moderate in nature.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to a clothing allowance.

The veteran's claim for an increase in his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records. The case will be reviewed again after these are obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a bilateral leg disability are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking current disabilities to an injury in service.

The veteran's DDD at L4-5 with right hip pain is granted a 60 percent evaluation effective February 26, 1998 and increased to 40 percent effective February 19, 1999.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will also schedule the veteran for examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, are service-connected. These conditions were first noted post-service but may be related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant's appeal was timely filed, and thus the claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders is now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent rating according to applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of the status post lumbar spine fusion warrant a 60 percent disability evaluation, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, and thus allowed the reopening of the claim. The case was remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities of the lower extremities, is not well grounded. The claims for increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right thigh and left leg were also denied.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the veteran's chronic low back pain with lumbosacral radiculopathy since January 1997, as it is productive of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, effective from April 1997.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability due to lack of timely appeal. The claim for an increased evaluation for low back strain was denied as the current rating adequately compensates for the veteran's functional impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the conditions he is claiming are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected amputated left leg disability is considered to have caused his lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. His cervical spondylosis and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip and leg disabilities need further development, including obtaining all available service medical records.