Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including spondylosis and scoliosis. The psychiatric disorder issue is pending as additional evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for flat feet, low back disorder, and cyst on spine.,For the neck disorder claim, the Board found the veteran's claim is not well grounded due to lack of credible supporting evidence for his claimed inservice stressors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of evaluations for his lumbosacral strain, right elbow epicondylitis, bilateral epithelial keratopathy with recurrent corneal erosions, and duodenal ulcer disease with gallbladder removal.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a current left knee disability attributable to the veteran's active service and denied the claim for service connection. The low back disability claim was deferred pending additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current back disorder to service. The increased rating claims were also denied as there was no evidence showing that the veteran's wrist disabilities warranted a higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's current evaluation for lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 40 percent, is appropriate based on his most recent examination showing limited range of motion and pain.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his right bundle branch block is also rated as noncompensable. The veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Board finds that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The veteran died before his claim for service connection was decided, so there are no accrued benefits in this case.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and low back disorders do not warrant increased ratings based on the current evidence of record. The most recent clinical findings did not support higher evaluations under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and thus denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is service-connected, as there was evidence of arthritis in service and current degenerative changes.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection due to lack of well-grounded evidence, finding no credible link between his current low back disorder and service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back disorder to his military service, and thus denied the claim as not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial disability evaluations for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine and cervical spine. The veteran was granted an initial noncompensable evaluation for tendonitis of the right upper extremity and a 10 percent initial disability rating for tendonitis of the left upper extremity and chondromalacia patella, right knee.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and ensuring all evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder warrants a 40 percent rating from September 2, 1998, based on severe limitation of motion due to pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left index finger, a bilateral hip disorder, and low back strain. The claim for a higher evaluation for the left shoulder disorder was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis did not undergo a chronic increase in severity during service, nor was there any additional disability caused by superimposed disease or injury. As such, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of herniated lumbar discs as secondary to his service-connected pilonidal cyst removal residuals is well grounded. The RO must readjudicate these claims and provide additional development, including VA examinations.