Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board granted a 60% rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder with a herniated intervertebral disc at L5-S1, effective October 22, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a low back disability are not well-grounded.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left ankle and back disorders to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder, low back disability, and right foot disability are not well-grounded. The evidence submitted does not establish current disabilities or show a relationship to service.

The veteran's right ring finger tendonitis is service-connected, and his lumbar spine disability has an effective date of May 29, 1992. The decision on the right ring finger claim is granted, but the CUE determination for the back claim remains unresolved.

The veteran's appeal was denied as he did not obtain prior VA authorization for the home improvements and structural alterations, which were completed without such authorization.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ocular hypertension and chronic low back strain, finding that the veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The right knee disorder is rated at 10 percent, while the bilateral pes planus remains at its current 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The current rating for the right knee is 30 percent, while the back disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease as secondary to his service-connected fracture of left transverse process at L2 and a compensable disability rating for that condition.

The Board has found that new evidence received by the RO after the July 1999 SSOC should be considered, and a remand is ordered to allow for this development. The veteran's claims of service connection for right knee condition, PTSD, and back disorder are being reviewed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability in March 1985. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing a chronic back disability incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 40 percent rating, which is the highest available under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence linking his current back disorder to his military service or his claimed continuous symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for back and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a definitive medical opinion regarding employment eligibility and readjudicating the claims based on all evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in an employment handicap, meeting the criteria for Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for postoperative status surgical fusion of lumbar spine with spondylosis of L5-S1 is not well grounded because there is no competent evidence establishing a nexus between this condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical records and discrepancies between the veteran's statements and contemporaneous service records.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for headaches, fatigue, low back disorder, right knee disorder, epididymitis, and sinusitis due to an undiagnosed illness are not well grounded as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or post-service. The veteran's current symptoms were attributed to his pre-existing cervical strain.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and ratings in excess of the current 20 percent for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as sinusitis/allergic rhinitis. The veteran's conditions are currently rated based on their severity.