Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability is service-connected and has granted his claim. For his bronchial asthma, the RO should consider both pre-October 1996 and post-October 1996 criteria for evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back injury to the thoracolumbar spine with chronic strain, compression fracture of T12 and degeneration of T12-L1 and L5-S1 warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to service, and denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain warrants a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on the criteria provided in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the current evidence does not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating.,A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, lumbosacral strain, and knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, chronic prostate problems, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and sleep apnea. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right knee patellofemoral syndrome is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder and degenerative joint disease, low back, do not have a direct link to service. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his low back condition is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current lumbar spine disability to his service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder warrants a 60 percent rating due to pronounced lumbar disc disease.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his current condition. The issue of total unemployability due to service-connected disability remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was not well-grounded and denied his increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus. The veteran's current complaints of pain do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected back disability is not warranted based on the lack of limitation of motion and pain.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems, including COPD (claimed as pharyngitis), and residuals of exposure to DDT powder. The claim for a back disorder was also denied, but the issue is pending further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with sciatica and osteoarthritis lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, while his service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent.