Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well-grounded due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and current diagnosis. The claim for increased evaluation for lumbosacral sprain residuals is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between his current condition and active service. The gastrointestinal and ulnar nerve disabilities have not been shown to be related to service.

The veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent disabling, and his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, finding that there was no basis for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 11, 1993 and no basis for a higher than current 60 percent rating since that date.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and thus denied her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the October 1975 RO decision is not new and material, thus the claim of reopening a service connection for a chronic back disorder remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disability for which service connection can be established.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing progression or worsening of his service-connected lower back disability, but found that he was not unemployable based on this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further review of his claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability, including chronic arthritis.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine injury, including strain and degenerative joint disease (DJD), does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, with presumptive service connection for post-traumatic arthritis due to his status as a former prisoner of war.

The VA denied the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for low back strain with sciatica, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or severe lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder was denied by the RO. The current evaluation of 20 percent is maintained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to service and he does not have any other service-connected disabilities. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied. Additionally, he is not eligible for a TDIU rating as he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claims of service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for residuals of a left foot injury, finding no new and material evidence submitted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, including as secondary to service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left fibula. The claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right eye disability, and back disability are all considered well-grounded. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and service. The claim for right eye disability is reopened due to new medical evidence linking it to an inservice injury. For the back disability, there is conflicting evidence regarding its relation to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and found that new and material evidence has been received. However, the Board denied the claim on the merits, concluding that the current low back disorder is not related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and back disability (spinal condition) as there was no medical evidence showing a current disability or a link between any in-service event and his claimed conditions.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain and hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis do not render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.