Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes cavus was aggravated by active service and granted this claim. However, the low back disorder is not well-grounded as there is no evidence relating it to his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and gastric cancer, finding that his preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service. The claim for gastric cancer will be remanded due to incomplete application.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for low back pain, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The VA granted service connection for coronary artery disease and low back injury, but denied a higher initial evaluation for the low back injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a back disorder are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence of a nexus between any current disability and active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected lower back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and other disabilities render him unable to attend to his daily needs without the assistance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right foot drop disorder is proximately due to his service-connected arthritis of the dorso-lumbar spine, warranting a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for swollen joints, left foot disability, anxiety, low back disability, respiratory disorder, and lung disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or link to these conditions during or after active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for back disability and concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of entitlement to benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a heart disability are not well grounded.,However, his claim for an increased rating for malaria is well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The rating for the right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, were denied. The initial rating decision assigned a 40% evaluation for the low back disability effective from January 26, 1998.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for mechanical low back disability was denied as he failed to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is not well-grounded because there is no evidence of a chronic lower back disorder in service or post-service, and no medical nexus between his current back disability and any incident during service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and back disability were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence showing a link between current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, warrants a rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current knee, shoulder, and lumbosacral strain disorders to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.