Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including back disorder, hypertension, kidney disorder, and urinary disorder. The appellant's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation at any time since August 1, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities did not cause or aggravate his right knee, left knee, back, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder, and psychiatric disorders.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes, including extraschedular entitlement under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(2), was denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for low back strain from October 2, 1995, to May 6, 1997. Effective May 6, 1997, the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 6, 1998 and increased to 60 percent effective August 6, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and heart disorder, as well as his request for an effective date earlier than January 28, 1997. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a knee disorder is still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for flat feet and a GI disorder. The claims for bilateral knee condition, low back disorder, sinusitis, and diabetes mellitus were also denied as not well grounded.

The Board found that the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury is not well grounded and denied it. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder as secondary to her service-connected right knee disability is well-grounded. The RO will schedule an examination and obtain any necessary medical records before reviewing the claims again.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back strain with degenerative spondylosis, degenerative disc disease and bilateral sclerosis.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, as well as her claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and Chapter 35 benefits due to lack of evidence supporting a causal link between the veteran's conditions and his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been granted. Service connection has been established for a low back disorder and multiple joints disorder, both presumed to be due to undiagnosed illnesses. The right shoulder sprain with degenerative joint disease is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and issues related to service connection for sacroiliitis. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her chronic low back strain is also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hypertension, and sinus disorder are not well-grounded. The veteran's hallux valgus deformity of the right foot is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5280, and her residuals of a tonsillectomy do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, finding that the current disability does not warrant a higher evaluation or meet the criteria for a total rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and low back pain are being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of 40 percent for his chronic right sacroiliac strain. The issue regarding secondary service connection for degenerative disc/joint disease and/or any other spinal disability is not explicitly addressed in this decision.