Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, cold weather-related rash, and residuals of right and left hand injuries due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence supporting service connection for a back disability, right ear disability, dizziness, or residuals of cold weather injury to the hands. The veteran's symptoms were not linked to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back injury is not due to his own willful misconduct and finds that he has a well-grounded claim for service connection. The evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptomatology from service, with current treatment related to those service-connected symptoms.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is well grounded and granted the claim.

The Board determined that the veteran had not submitted sufficient new and material evidence with which to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Board granted initial evaluations of 10 percent for the service-connected right and left patellofemoral syndrome, effective from October 5, 1995.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability other than dorsolumbar scoliosis, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and right foot disorder are not well-grounded. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, holding that it was not clear and unmistakable error in the December 1946 rating decision.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder, involving dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis and a small disc herniation at L4-L5, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant an increase in rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is not well-grounded, and his request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right quadriceps strain was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have arthritis of multiple joints or a low back disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for upper back, right hip, and right leg disorders are not well grounded. The RO denied these claims in their initial decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits because he does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his disabilities. The evidence showed that the veteran is able to perform self-care activities, walk with a cane, drive an automobile, and leave his home when necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA orthopedic examination. The veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain is pending, while his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder remains unresolved.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic low back disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1982 decision. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected fracture of left transverse process at L2 and denied entitlement to a compensable disability rating for that condition.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at C4-5, with fusion of C5-6, finding that it is equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and awarded a 100% rating effective from November 5, 1993. The claim of reopening the low back disorder was also granted.