Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted an increased rating from 10% to 20% for the veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis and degenerative joint disease, finding moderate impairment but no severe limitation of motion. The appeal is based on the merits of the claim rather than reopening or new evidence.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as a TDIU claim. The veteran appealed these decisions to the Court, which remanded them back to the RO.

The veteran's death was not caused by VA hospitalization or medical treatment, and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a low back disability from 10 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar lordosis is manifested by no more than mild limitation of motion in the lumbar spine, with no evidence of additional functional loss due to pain. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury as not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left hip disorder, finding that it is related to injuries sustained in service. The claim for a low back disorder was not well-grounded and denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability. The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests that additional evidence be obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine and eye conditions are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability did not begin in service and was not caused by any incident of service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and chronic low back pain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year prior to December 3, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder and for nonservice-connected pension benefits based on permanent and total disability due to a nonservice-connected mental disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, but granted an earlier effective date for his 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including postoperative residuals of a fracture of the right knee and arthritis of the hips, render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. His right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a laminectomy at L4 and L5, finding that these symptoms meet the criteria for pronounced intervertebral disc disease.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to lack of competent medical evidence linking his current problems with his service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected back disorder is manifested by complaints of low back pain, but not more than moderate lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim for an increased rating was granted to a 20 percent disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are service-connected, and he also has current disabilities in his hips, knees, and ankles. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for chronic knee or ankle disorders.