Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain, right forearm gunshot wound, and right ankle disorder was granted. The rating for the left ankle condition remains at 10 percent. Hallux valgus deformity of both feet is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has denied reopening claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, dizziness, and eye disabilities. The evidence received since the 1976 decisions is not considered new and material to reopen these claims.

The veteran's heart condition was not service-connected, and the Board found that it did not aggravate any of his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, he is not eligible for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ligamentous low back strain does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as there is no evidence of severe intervertebral disc syndrome or ankylosis of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical services provided during his hospitalizations is denied as not well-grounded because the treatment was not for a service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated disc at L4-5 is currently rated as 60 percent disabling, which is the maximum allowed under the rating code. The veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The effective dates for service connection have been established based on earlier claims filed.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is well grounded. The veteran's stressors during his Gulf War service are supported by evidence, and a VA examination will be arranged to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for major depression and anxiety, PTSD, and low back condition are denied as they do not meet the criteria for well-groundedness. The claim for arthritis of the left foot and ankle is also denied.,PTSD was supported by medical evidence linking it to service-related stressors.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 50 percent, which adequately reflects the level of impairment due to severe limitation of motion and deformity. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of secondary service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since March 1982.,The claim is considered well-grounded as it relates the cause of the current low back disability to the veteran's service-connected migraine headache disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's posttraumatic lumbar strain does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, based on his current symptoms and x-ray findings of mild spondylolisthesis.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence showed severe limitation of motion, but no ankylosis or complete immobility of the lumbar spine. Therefore, a higher rating under applicable regulations is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 50% rating effective June 8, 2000.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, finding that it more nearly approximates pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected low back strain is pending.

The Board has reopened the claim and found it well grounded, implying a link between current back disorder and service. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if there is any relationship.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction does not result in impairment which warrants a compensable rating according to the general criteria for evaluation of mental disorders. As such, an increased (compensable) evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking this condition to his military service or any other service-connected disorder. The claim for increased evaluation for arthralgia remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding that there was no evidence linking his current degenerative disc disease to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, headache, urinary, and brain disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.