Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder warrants restoration of a 40 percent rating as of July 1, 1994.

The Board has granted service connection for an upper back disability and assigned a 10 percent rating for chronic left shoulder sprain. The veteran's current symptoms include diffuse tenderness, discomfort on palpation of the anterior shoulder and acromioclavicular joint, as well as pain during abduction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the right fourth and fifth toes, and a back disability. The decision found that there was no current disability of the right fourth and fifth toes, and insufficient evidence to establish a chronic back disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's September 1990 back surgery, which involved a lumbar laminectomy at L4-L5, was related to his service-connected residuals of a low back injury. Therefore, he is entitled to a one-month convalescence period following this surgery.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disability or heart disease present in service or within the one-year presumptive period post-service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, making it well-grounded. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of her fibromyalgia and ulcer disease is granted, while the service connection claim for mitral valve prolapse remains unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, small airway disease as secondary to asbestos exposure, and right flank muscle spasm (back disability). The decision found that there was no current disability for the left ankle claim and insufficient evidence linking the small airway disease to service. The back disability claim is pending due to incomplete records.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's COPD to military service, and his lumbar spine disability was rated as moderate limitation of motion without severe involvement. His knee disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's status post lumbar laminectomy with L5-S1 recurrent radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for his postoperative lumbar laminectomy, degenerative changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is well-grounded and grants this claim. The Board also finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of psychosis, most consistent with schizophrenia, had its inception during his military service. However, the claims for lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and peptic ulcer disease are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and earlier effective dates for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease have been granted.,Effective June 11, 1998, the veteran is now receiving a 60 percent disability rating for his back condition.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities and is successfully maintaining employment as a site manager. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation under Chapter 31.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma, allergic skin reaction, seizure disorder, prostate disorder, kidney disorder, sore glands, uvulectomy (throat operation), stomach disorder, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder are all service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD and duodenal ulcer are denied as they do not meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's scoliosis, chronic low back strain, arthritis, and disc disease were incurred in service. The hearing loss of the left ear was not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded, but denied on the merits. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.