Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with chronic lumbar strain, duodenal ulcer/gastroduodenitis, and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, finding that the veteran's right ankle sprain warranted a 20% evaluation and did not meet criteria for higher ratings. Service connection was granted for sinusitis but denied for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are well grounded. The veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine with disc narrowing, postoperative cervical osteotomy, and a 20 percent rating for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability was not well-grounded and denied it. The issue of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen his hip and back disability claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic low back strain is due to injury in service and granted this claim. The claim for bursitis of the left shoulder was not well-grounded as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her lumbosacral strain with MRI evidence of a herniated disc at L4-5 was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there is no medical evidence linking his current low back disorder to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's low back injury and chondromalacia of the left knee were granted increased evaluations, with the low back receiving a higher evaluation due to more severe symptoms.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has ordered a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's request. The case is being remanded back to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new VA examination report.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's right knee postoperative residuals with degenerative joint disease and chronic lumbosacral strain, but denied an increase in rating for his postoperative right knee with laxity.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of the right shoulder, right knee, and lower back strain.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The VA has determined that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claim was not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence of a current low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, low back, and right hip disabilities are not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of a low back injury and neck injury, as well as his eligibility for VA pension benefits based on Vietnam-era service, were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder, multiple joint disorder, or hearing loss disability. The veteran's service medical records do not show any diagnosed conditions related to these issues.,Service connection cannot be granted for the veteran's claimed disabilities as there is insufficient evidence linking them to his military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records, including SSA disability determination records, and to schedule the veteran for a VA orthopedic examination.