Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's skin condition, including fatty tumors, and disorder manifested by headaches and dizziness are not well grounded as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to an incident of service. The claim for a back disorder was found to be well grounded due to treatment in 1982 after a fall from a truck while on active duty for training.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected mechanical low back pain, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability, finding that there was no well-grounded claim for either issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals of a right nephrectomy and low back disorder are not well-grounded, thus denying these claims.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric and back disorders, as well as a groin condition. The claims for skin and hematoma of the left tibia were not well-grounded.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and temporary total rating based on required convalescence following surgery were denied due to his failure to cooperate with the VA in obtaining necessary evidence.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on severe symptoms or functional loss.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions present during service or within the first post-service year, and denied claims for direct service connection for gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis, headaches, and a low back condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a relationship between any neck pains experienced during active service and his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a low back injury with degenerative disc disease and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The claim for hypertension was not supported by the evidence, resulting in no rating being assigned.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation of his condition.

The Board has granted a 60% evaluation for the veteran's low back disorder, which is currently rated as 40%. The veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence and diagnostic criteria. Additionally, the veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, an original rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability. The RO is instructed to readjudicate these issues with consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service records and incomplete medical history, requiring further development of the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and neck disorders are not related to his period of service or his service-connected left shoulder disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for individual unemployability. The Board requested additional medical evidence to determine if the veteran's service-connected conditions, combined with any nonservice-connected conditions, render him unable to work.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain, status post-L4-L5 diskectomy and L4 laminotomy is currently rated at 40 percent due to severe impairment. The RO has denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, but denied increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities and status post cholecystectomy.