Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the lumbar spine are rated at 20% due to moderate limitation of motion. The initial noncompensable and 10% evaluations for hemorrhoids and hypertension, respectively, remain unchanged.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back injury, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The claim for reopening of the low back injury was granted but found not well-grounded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the veteran's back disorder and bladder dysfunction claims, as well as a muscle group examination to determine the current nature of his service-connected left extensor fascia lata release with trochanteric bursectomy.

The veteran's back surgeries did not result in additional disability, and the Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with bulging disc and radiculopathy has been granted, resulting in a 60 percent disability rating effective from the date of the RO's determination. The current rating is 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and found the veteran's back disability secondary to her left ankle fracture. The claim of service connection for a back disability is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left hip and back disorders as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a healed fracture of the left tibia and fibula. The disability is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5262.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's low back strain. The issues of an increased rating for low back strain and entitlement to TDIU are being deferred until the claims folder is updated.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine service connection for a back disorder and myositis of the trapezius muscles, as well as evaluating PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected gunshot wound residuals are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The VA has granted service connection for mechanical low back pain and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5295.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well grounded due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim for increased evaluation for low back pain with lumbar strain is pending and will be remanded.

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied because his service-connected lower back disability did not prevent him from performing the duties of a planning analyst or urban planner, and there were no employment handicaps that made these occupations unsuitable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of cold injury and arthritis due to lack of competent medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and back disability, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fractured left little toe was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The denial was based on lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and a back disorder are well grounded. The RO is directed to undertake development as outlined in the remand instructions before rating these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected mechanical back pain is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the degree of impairment attributable to this condition.