Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination, as the Court found that there was insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's back disability during service.

The Board has determined that arthritis of the hips, knees, hands, and low back did not begin during service or due to a service-connected condition. The veteran's current condition is considered unrelated to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, prostatitis, and tinea pedis and tinea versicolor are currently rated as 10 percent each. The Board denied higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and right knee disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is not well-grounded and denied it.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation of his low back disability was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from November 14, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, secondary service connection, and a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability. The left ankle disability was rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The back and right knee disabilities were not found to be related to the service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms, while present and causing some functional impairment, do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as his condition is currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and special monthly compensation were denied. The service-connected lumbosacral spine disability remains at a 60 percent rating, which is the maximum under applicable criteria.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's relocation and requests for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, finding that it was not factually ascertainable before December 7, 1998, that the veteran's back disorder had increased in severity to meet the criteria for such a rating.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining employment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are right shoulder disability and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, low back disability and left wrist disability are not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic tendonitis of the right shoulder is well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected back and leg conditions, but denied a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing that his disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability due to lack of timely substantive appeal. The veteran's facial blemish and low back disability claims have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability or that any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by military service.

The veteran's low back disability was increased to a 20 percent rating effective May 17, 1999.

The Board finds that the appellant's disabilities do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claims for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.