Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no chronic condition present during service and attributing any current condition to post-service accidents.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for chronic strain of the lumbosacral spine and found that the veteran's service-connected shoulder condition does not warrant a compensable rating. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for left biceps tendinitis, rule out rotator cuff injury is moot due to the grant of a 10% evaluation for the lumbosacral spine.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back disability, finding that the claim was not received within one year after separation from service and thus the earliest possible effective date is February 27, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including back disability, liver disorder, eye disorder, and right hip disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evaluation for residuals of plantar fasciitis with a history of minimal hammertoe deformity of both feet is also denied.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar sprain, but granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected postoperative right testicle cancer with abdominal lymph node metastasis and a TDIU, finding that the current state of his disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent, effective February 19, 1997. The TDIU benefits were granted with an effective date of September 30, 1996.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of a lumbar laminectomy, claimed as due to injury during INACDUTRA on June 12, 1980. The evidence submitted by the veteran is found to be both new and material, allowing the claim to proceed to its merits. The Board also finds that the claim is well grounded based on credible lay and medical evidence showing continuity of symptoms since the injury in 1980 and a nexus between the current disability and the service-connected injury.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied as there is no competent evidence showing that his current disability is due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for allergic/vasomotor rhinitis with headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right wrist disability, and lumbosacral strain (back).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are well grounded, but his secondary service connection claims have not been substantiated by evidence of a plausible claim.

The veteran's disability conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and amputation of the right leg, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or toileting without assistance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's recurrent low back pain with left lumbar radiculopathy warrants a disability rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine warrants a 40% rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board finds that the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain with secondary paravertebral fibromyositis does not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 40 percent disability under Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of chronic low back strain was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent. The claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right buttock/thigh disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between current conditions and military service.