Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than currently assigned.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects no more than slight limitation of motion and minimal muscle spasm.

The veteran's service-connected fracture of the L2 vertebra is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted an additional 10 percent rating for deformity of the vertebral body. The current disability rating encompasses severe limitation of motion and/or lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's low back disorder and bilateral defective hearing were granted service connection, with the low back disorder receiving a 40% evaluation.

The VA has denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected low back strain, finding no evidence of more than slight subjective symptoms or functional impairment since 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the lumbar spine with compression fracture at L3, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 20 percent disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative lumbar laminectomy does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more than mild intervertebral disc syndrome or moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO found that the current manifestations of his COPD, hypertension, and low back disability do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for his low back disability, nor did it meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders.

The RO granted service connection for traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the low back, but did not address a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing a link between his military service and any current condition. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for lumbosacral radiculopathy is not well-grounded because there is no competent evidence showing a current disability due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized as low back strain with associated radiculopathy, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation beyond the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines as his claim is not well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected incisional / ventral hernias, status-post hernia repair is rated as noncompensable. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for collapsed lung with chronic obstructive lung disease, status post pneumonitis, degenerative disc disease and a pinched nerve of the cervical spine and hypertension due to treatment at a VA facility is denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, and denied his requests for increased ratings for low back and right hip disabilities. The veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 60 percent.