Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her left knee, right and left foot disabilities. The service connection for these conditions was established but not reopened or granted new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the July 1995 rating decision granting service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the left shoulder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus upholding the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy L4-L5 with degenerative joint disease and a right hip condition, both secondary to his service-connected right knee condition. The decision found that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has restored the veteran's 20 percent rating for her mechanical low back pain and lumbosacral strain, finding that actual improvement in her disability under ordinary conditions of life and work was not demonstrated based on a May 1997 VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, gunshot wound to muscle group XIX, removal of the left kidney, lumbosacral strain with arthritis and sacroilitis, status post gastric resection, small bowel resection and previous colostomy with dumping syndrome, and a muscle bulge associated with ventral and incisional hernia, preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment. As such, the veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back disorder warrants a disability rating of 40 percent, effective November 3, 1997.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral strain, claimed as low back pain. The veteran's current back disability is considered, but further development is needed to determine if there is a nexus between his current condition and his period of service or his service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The claim for left knee disability was reopened based on new evidence showing current disability.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar myositis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms.,For his right shoulder tendonitis, the Board determined a compensable evaluation was not warranted due to normal range of motion and lack of objective findings of pain or disability.,Regarding migraine headaches, the Board concluded that a compensable evaluation was not warranted based on the veteran's testimony and examination results.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims for service connection for herniated disc disorder and arthritis of the lumbar spine are also pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral elbow disorder, and recurrent urinary tract infection are not well-grounded. The claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with traumatic hypertrophic changes was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has restored the appellant's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine from 20 percent to 40 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability. The VA medical professional concluded that the veteran's current back disability was likely caused by an in-service diving accident.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. The decision is based on the lack of a timely substantive appeal for the issue of low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected as secondary to his left femur fracture. The rating for residuals of the left femur fracture remains at 20 percent, and the varicose veins are rated at 20 percent.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, varicose veins, and a chronic back disorder secondary to left knee impairment with arthritis. The issues have been remanded for further development.