Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is not well grounded. The claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches and left ankle disability are denied.

The veteran's appeals for reopening service connection claims and seeking increased evaluations were dismissed due to the failure to file timely substantive appeals.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and low back disability are not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating of postoperative duodenal ulcer with vagotomy and antrectomy was also denied.

The veteran's low back disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, has been increased to a higher rating of 40 percent due to severe limitation of motion.

The VA determined that the appellant's nonservice-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, secondary degenerative joint disease of the right hip, knees, and low back are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current lumbar spine disability to a lumbar puncture performed in October 1986 during his VA hospitalization, and thus denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left hip piriformis syndrome, as well as her claim for an increased evaluation for adjustment disorder secondary to history of assault. The VA found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's period of active duty.

The veteran's right knee and femur injuries have been granted service connection, with the spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine being found to be aggravated by these conditions. The right knee is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, while the right femur fracture remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's thoracic spine condition and left leg and foot disorder are both service-connected, with the latter being part of his service-connected lumbar spine disability. He was granted a 40% evaluation for his spondylosis at L5-S1, which is the maximum available benefit. The veteran also received TDIU.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected low back injury, effective from the date of the March 1997 decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that 'veteran' status has not been established for the claimed period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training in 1983 or 1984.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and service connection for a herniated disc of the low back, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of compound fractures of the lower legs and disc disease with chronic low back pain, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims. The claim for a compensable disability rating for laceration scars on both lower legs remains pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and found it well grounded. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current back disability was first manifested in service or due to injury sustained in service.

The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the December 1957 rating decision denying service connection for a back disorder. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury is well-grounded, but additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and erosive esophagitis, and a compensable rating for bilateral defective hearing. The veteran's heart condition is not linked to service or a service-connected disability. His back disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5292 or 5393. His hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and erosive esophagitis meets the criteria for a 10% rating, but his hearing loss is noncompensable.

The Board found no evidence of a present back disorder related to active service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection. For systolic heart murmur with mitral insufficiency, the Board noted that it is a congenital or developmental defect not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than January 14, 1999 for his service connection and compensation for a right ear scar and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.