Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection is not well-grounded for headaches, bilateral ankle fractures, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim of a lumbar spine disability is granted as the veteran's current back strain with normal X-rays is considered to be related to his inservice lifting injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain does not warrant a compensable rating due to no more than slight subjective symptoms and no limitation of motion.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability, and thus the claim is well grounded. The underlying merits of the claim are remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected low back strain was granted, but he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and reopened the claim of peripheral neuropathy involving the legs, bowels, hands, and left arm due to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's current symptoms do not appear related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for costochondritis but denied an increased rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The veteran's claim is considered well-grounded for costochondritis, and her claim for a higher rating for her back disability remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disorder and low back disorder claimed as secondary to the veteran's right knee disorder. However, it granted service connection for a low back disorder and left unresolved the issue of an increased rating for the right knee disorder.

The veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine fibromyalgia did not render her unemployable prior to August 30, 1994.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an increased evaluation for seizure disorder, and an increased (compensable) evaluation for flat feet. The evidence does not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for cerebrospinal meningitis and chronic back disability. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral hand pain, and shortness of breath (claimed as due to asbestos exposure). The claim for a low back disorder is pending. No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for a bilateral knee disorder or right ankle disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, low back disorder, and respiratory disorder. The appeals regarding these issues were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's low back and left leg pain to his service or service-connected right BKA, thus denying the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's back and neck disabilities were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during his active duty. The claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for PCT, low back disability, and neck disability on secondary basis due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and a back disability. The evidence now submitted shows that the veteran's pre-existing psychiatric condition was aggravated by his military service, while the claim for a back disability is not supported by new or material evidence.

The Board granted a 40% evaluation for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine and a 20% evaluation for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, effective April 6, 1995.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee, right knee, left hip, and low back disorders are all of service origin. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed right knee injury and dissatisfaction with the initial rating of 10% for low back strain. The veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.