Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic (dorsal) back disorder and a rib disorder are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 due to new and material evidence, but finds that the claim is not well-grounded.

The veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar segments of his spine remains at 10 percent, and hemorrhoids are not compensable.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability is likely related to an injury sustained during service, and grants service connection for a back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for her service-connected multiple epidermal inclusion cysts and recurrent mechanical low back pain, finding that there was insufficient evidence to rate these conditions properly due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder or sinusitis during active service and no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between any of the disabilities at issue and his period of active service.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another or by reason of being housebound was denied due to his nonservice-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not related to any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain (claimed as a back disability) secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee pain is not well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected dorsal-lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 8, 1999 and increased to 40 percent since then. The cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders due to lack of new and material evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his headache disorder and low back disability, as well as service connection for joint pain, muscle soreness, aches, weakness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and skin rash due to undiagnosed illnesses. The evidence did not support an evaluation greater than 10 percent for headaches or a rating greater than 20 percent for the low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is less likely due to a fall in service but can be attributed to wear and tear. The hip disorder claim was denied as there was no competent evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back disabilities are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and tendonitis, left shoulder. The RO assigned a 20 percent evaluation for the lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's bilateral shin splint disability and low back disorder are found to be related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 30, 1997, for assignment of a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO increased the disability ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine disability from January 30, 1997, resulting in a combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a back condition and bronchitis are not well-grounded, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the August 1996 rating decision regarding CUE in the December 1985 rating decision. The claim for service connection was not reopened.