Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's burial expenses are deductible from her countable income, and she is entitled to special monthly death pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's disability from chronic low back syndrome does not meet or approximate the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and eye disorders, finding that they were not well-grounded due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or as secondary to Persian Gulf War service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and head injury residuals due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for joint pain of the knees, hands, and wrists, inflammatory bowel disease with esophagitis and hiatal hernia, and low back pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are well grounded and have granted service connection for a low back disability and a pulmonary or respiratory disorder. The current ratings for other conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected impingement syndrome of the left shoulder warrants a 20 percent rating, as it more nearly approximates limitation at shoulder level. The other issues have been resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, gastritis, and residuals of exposure to environmental toxins are not well grounded.

The veteran's low back disorder, classified as herniated lumbar disc at L4-L5 and L5-S1 with radiculopathy, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board found that the disability warrants this rating based on severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is primarily manifested by complaints of back pain, severe limitation of motion, and X-ray findings of an old compression deformity. The disability is rated at 40 percent based on limitation of motion of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left knee disability, shell fragment wound scars of the upper back with degenerative changes, and low back disability. The veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated at 50%, 10%, 20%, and 20% respectively.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, residuals of a left shoulder injury and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle sprain and low back and neck disorders due to lack of evidence establishing a causal nexus between the current conditions and active service.,The veteran's claims regarding reopening her sinus disorder and joint popping and snapping claims were also denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disability are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these disabilities to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition, neck condition, low back injury, and leg problems all secondary to his service-connected partial amputation of the distal right middle finger.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU benefits. The veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to be directly connected to his military service, with a rating of 40 percent assigned.

The veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his service-connected lumbar disability was denied. The RO assigned a 50 percent evaluation from December 16, 1991, to August 26, 1997.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his military service, including a fall in 1964. The claim was denied as there is insufficient evidence for secondary service connection.