Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's only service-connected disability is low back strain, rated at 40 percent. The evidence does not show that her service-connected condition precludes her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected sacroiliac sprain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolisthesis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently productive of severe limitation of motion and/or severe lumbosacral strain, warranting a 40% rating.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for low back strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to functional loss or other symptoms.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective May 12, 1997. The veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is well-grounded.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, and finds that he is entitled to service connection for degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine. The rating assigned aligns with the criteria set forth in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current lumbar spine disability, stemming from an injury during ACDUTRA in March 1994, is service-connected. The thoracic spine disability claim remains on appeal.

The veteran's claim for tinnitus is well-grounded, and service connection has been granted.,The veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist are well-grounded. Service connection was denied due to lack of clinical evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with reverse spondylolisthesis is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to an in-service injury, specifically a fall from a tank during active duty for training. The claim is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the veteran's post-service back disorder and his service, or any other condition. The claim was denied as not well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, PTSD at 30 percent, resulting in a combined rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of injury to the right forearm are well-grounded. The RO should schedule a VA examination coincident with a flare-up in his skin disorders and ensure all pertinent medical evidence is associated with the claims file.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of spondylolysis of the lumbar spine with limitation of motion was denied as there is no legal basis to award a prior effective date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper respiratory infection and sinusitis, left knee strain, left ear disability, corneal abrasion of the right eye, low back strain, urinary tract infection, reaction to typhoid vaccination, and myopia. The initial evaluation for her service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia is also denied.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations for conjunctivitis with vision loss, costochondritis, and low back pain. The appeals were not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current back disabilities and inservice disease or injury.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is more than the current 20 percent rating.