Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's lumbosacral strain was incurred in line of duty during active military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back strain, with degenerative changes, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing spondylolysis of the lumbar spine existed prior to his entry into active duty service and was not aggravated by such service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's PTSD was not productive of more than mild social and industrial impairment prior to May 16, 1996. The low back strain condition received a compensable evaluation effective February 4, 1990.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability warrants a 60 percent rating, which is higher than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating, as the veteran’s symptoms were characterized by chronic low back pain with intermittent relief from such symptoms without sensory or motor deficit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and hip disorders on a direct basis.,Additionally, the Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired disorder of the left knee as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an increased rating for PTSD, and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with psychophysiological musculoskeletal reaction.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, stomach (gastrointestinal) disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, it is not determined that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection of a right knee disability and a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the knees and a temporary total rating based on convalescence, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to service connected chondromalacia of the knees.

The RO denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the low back disorder effective July 8, 1998. The veteran's other claims were also addressed and decisions were rendered.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for periostitis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to his low back disorder, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, secondary to service-connected pes planus. The claims for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and ineffective dates, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not warrant a higher rating or earlier effective date.