Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent based on more severe symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his current disabilities were adequately compensated by existing ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a facial skin disorder and a low back disorder are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology, nor is there medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the September 1962 rating decision denying service connection for a low back sprain was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The evidence at the time did not support finding that the condition began during service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his low back disorder is denied. The Board found that the award of service connection was not warranted prior to April 18, 1983.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral spine disability and peptic ulcer disease are service-connected, with a rating of 20% for the lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for PTSD, residuals of neck injury, and increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain were not well grounded. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish service connection for the neck injury or lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's low back disorder with radiculopathy, sinusitis, and bronchitis are all found to be related to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder during service and concluded that the veteran's claim for service connection was not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's preexisting spondylolysis of L5 with spondylolisthesis was aggravated by active service, and thus service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, claiming as dextroscoliosis, due to lack of competent evidence showing current disability and failure to cooperate in providing necessary medical information.

The Board found no current disability from a low back disorder related to the veteran's service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and major depressive disorder are not well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected myofascial syndrome of the lumbosacral spine and headache do not constitute an employment handicap, thus he does not meet the eligibility requirement for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing post-operative back disability was aggravated during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that a 20 percent rating was appropriate based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for deviated nasal septum and low back disability, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and possible demyelinating disease, is not related to his service due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his in-service strain and his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 with stenosis, finding that the veteran's condition was incurred in service. The issue of a compensable rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a low back injury with disc herniation at L4 through S1 are most consistent with moderate, recurring attacks of intervertebral disc syndrome or muscle spasm on forward bending loss of lateral spine motion, unilateral, in the standing position. The preponderance of evidence did not support an evaluation higher than 20 percent.