Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and a skin disorder (claimed as a residual of Agent Orange exposure) have been denied. The RO has not considered the most recent private medical records submitted by the veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, low back, and chest wall disorders remain pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer and original compensable rating for lumbar spondylosis due to degenerative arthritis prior to February 7, 1994. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis due to degenerative arthritis was also denied.

The Board has determined that a higher rating for the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is not warranted, as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The left hip, cervical spine, and lumbosacral spine conditions are currently evaluated at non-compensable levels.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a right thumb injury is not well-grounded. The low back disability, currently rated at 10 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss as they were not well-grounded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) found that the veteran did not present sufficient new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a shrapnel wound, including low back disorder and heart disorder. The March 1992 decision by the RO remains final.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and higher evaluations for various disabilities, including lumbar, cervical, thoracic spine disorders, essential tremors of both hands, and patellofemoral pain syndrome in both knees. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has found the claims for service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities to be well grounded. The veteran's current knee disability is currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, effective October 1, 1993.,The residuals of the left orchiectomy are currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he stated that he was satisfied with the current ruling regarding his disability ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, arthritis, and internal derangement of the left knee. The claim for a compensable evaluation for urticaria is pending.

The Board found no well-grounded claims for service connection of the claimed conditions and denied them.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent, and service connection for hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, cervical muscle strain, muscle tension headaches, and lumbar muscle strain are granted as secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and bilateral knee disability, finding new and material evidence. However, it denied service connection for these conditions as they are not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized by daily pain and intermittent attacks of severe pain, warrants a 20 percent initial rating under Diagnostic Code 5293 for intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and a low back disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her period of active service.