Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied both issues on appeal, finding that the veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling and his left hand scar does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection issues due to lack of timely filed substantive appeals. The claim for service connection for headaches is not well grounded.

The VA determined that the appellant's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left acromioclavicular joint disorders do not warrant a higher evaluation based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is service-connected and grants a higher rating for PTSD. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disorder and right knee disability, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The cervical spine disorder is not found to be related to service or any other service-connected condition.

The veteran's low back strain and shrapnel wound to the right leg were granted increased ratings, with the low back strain receiving a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar syndrome does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned, as there is no evidence of moderate limitation of motion or other symptoms that would justify a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lower back disorder and left ankle disorder are not supported by the evidence of record, and therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied as the residuals of a lumbar laminectomy and an injury to the fifth digit of the right hand have not met the criteria for increased ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbar strain warrants a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional impairment due to pain.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with an effective date of May 20, 1991. The RO also granted the extension of a temporary total disability rating for convalescence after October 31, 1991.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and a fractured left hip, do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board has restored the veteran's left knee disability rating to 60 percent and granted a 10 percent rating for his right knee arthritis. The issues of service connection for low back disability, restoration of left knee rating, and increased rating for right knee arthritis are all resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip disorders, finding that they were not related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's back disability does not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation commensurate with his education and employment background, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability are well grounded. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has found that the appellant's claim for service connection for low back disorder, to include spondylolisthesis, as secondary to service-connected total left knee replacement and right knee disorder is well-grounded. The RO must obtain additional evidence including SSA records and arrange for a VA examination.