Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's fracture involving a lumbar vertebrae was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia warrants a 10 percent rating, and his low back muscle strain warrants a 10 percent rating. The current ratings are based on symptoms of pain and functional impairment.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that it more nearly approximates severe level of disability with objective evidence consistent with marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, and characteristic callosities. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied as there is no competent evidence to support the veteran's lay assertions.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the appellant's service-connected arthritis of the low back, effective from August 13, 1990.

The Board has determined that the appellant's back disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied her claim for service connection. The right foot disability is currently evaluated as non-compensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee, lumbar spine, and right hip disabilities. The RO continued or granted some of these evaluations but did not grant any higher ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder as secondary to service-connected disability. The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals due to attempt to remove kidney stone is not well-grounded, and there are no additional increased ratings during the period of November 30, 1994 to September 8, 1995 for his bilateral knee disabilities. After August 6, 1998, there is no longer an issue of fact or law pertaining to a claim for VA benefits before the Board as to entitlement to an increased schedular evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his claimed conditions and exposure. The RO found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for back disability and right knee and leg disability.

For the period from May 3, 1947, to May 9, 1959, the veteran's low back disability was not productive of any significant symptoms or functional impairment.,From May 10, 1959, to October 6, 1996, the veteran's severe intervertebral disc syndrome warranted a 40% rating. However, from October 7, 1996, his disability was rated as pronounced with little intermittent relief and persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with mild traumatic spondylosis was denied. Service connection claims for post-traumatic stress disorder and other disabilities were also considered, but the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his claims, including those related to fatigue and male-pattern hair loss as undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected herniated lumbar disc and internal derangement of the right knee, with a 10 percent rating effective from June 1, 1992.

The Board has determined that the January 1946 claim for service connection for a back disorder was abandoned. The current claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and increased ratings for residuals of an appendectomy, to include a scar, and fungus infection of the scalp, feet and hands. The veteran's psoriasis was not found to be related to service or his other conditions. His scars were rated as 10% disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for her left shoulder condition, chronic low back condition, chronic skin condition, and poor blood circulation condition of the left lower extremity due to a lack of competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and her period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle injury and low back condition are not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain and special monthly pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, finding that the current 40 percent rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to his service-connected right foot disability, and the claim for reopening a low back disability as secondary to a service-connected right foot disability is granted.