Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a bilateral foot disorder, including numbness and sweating. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and thus granted service connection.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating new issues such as service connection for back disability, skin disability, and residuals of venereal disease. The veteran's PTSD rating and total unemployability claim are also pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's residuals of a fractured pelvis, finding that his current symptoms are not more than 20% disabling.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is granted, as it has been presented with sufficient evidence to be considered well-grounded. The Board found that the pre-service thoracolumbar scoliosis did not increase in severity during service and that the lumbosacral strain diagnosed after service was likely due to the veteran's condition developing during service.

The veteran's bursitis of the left and right hips are currently rated at 10 percent each, while her chronic low back disorder is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that these evaluations were appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's lumbar myositis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 29, 1998. The disability has not been found since a 1946 VA examination.

The Board found the veteran's claim plausible and granted service connection for a low back disorder, attributing it to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent from March 15, 1995 to October 20, 1996 and 20 percent on and after October 21, 1996.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen and lumbar region, as well as peritoneal adhesions. The current disability levels do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and hip disorders not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a higher evaluation for his thoracic spine disability were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine arthritis, or for a compensable evaluation prior to August 19, 1993, for chest wall symptoms associated with thoracic spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various back disorders, including upper back and lumbar spine myositis, lumbosacral sprain, and lumbosacral disc disease. The decision found that new evidence did not provide a basis to reopen the claim of service connection for upper back and lumbar spine myositis.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including an injury to the xiphoid with tenderness, a deviated nasal septum, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, decreased grip strength due to an injury to the right thumb, residuals of a skull injury, bilateral ankle/foot disabilities, and hepatitis. The claims are denied as not well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders preexisted her entry into service and did not worsen during or because of her active duty. The low back disorder was also not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and found it well grounded. The RO will schedule a VA examination to determine if the current low back disability is related to service.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are denied as they are not well-grounded.

The Board denied higher evaluations for the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of L5-S1 with posterior lumbar interbody fusion, osteotomy of the third metatarsal head of the right foot with painful callous, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim for excision residuals of plantar wart on the left foot was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disorder, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and congenital sacralization, finding that congenital defects are not diseases or injuries under VA law. The claim for the lumbar spine disorder is granted on a direct basis.