Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain, currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, respiratory disorder to include asthma, bilateral foot disorder to include bone spurs of the heels, and bilateral ankle disability. Service connection was denied for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and headaches.

The Board has determined that the appellant currently has a right knee disorder, low back pain secondary to congenital abnormalities of the lumbar spine, and a right calf contusion. These conditions are all considered well grounded as they have been diagnosed in service or since service.,For the right knee disorder, the claim is granted as it was incurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral floaters in the eyes and denied service connection for chronic low back pain.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service, including a reported low back injury in 1941 or 1942. As such, the claim for direct service connection was denied.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, rectal itching, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease with duodenitis and a skin condition as due to an undiagnosed illness. The issues are considered 'denied' in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pneumonia, a back disability secondary to an inservice thoracotomy, and lung removal due to the conclusion that these disabilities resulted from the veteran's own abuse of drugs during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an extension of his eligibility period for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left nephrectomy and lumbosacral spine disability, with a current rating of 30% for the former and 60% for the latter.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder warrants a disability rating of 20 percent, reflecting moderate symptoms with recurring attacks.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent from October 10, 1997 to June 9, 1998 and for a rating in excess of 60 percent subsequent to October 1, 1998.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and assigned a 40% disability rating effective January 28, 1992. Attorney fees are payable from past-due benefits stemming from this award.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the veteran's substantive appeal was not filed within the required time frame.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital is denied as she has not met the three elements necessary for such reimbursement.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The appellant's preexisting conditions were found to not be aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, and denied them.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric or back disorders to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis, currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is well-grounded and ordered additional development to determine the nature of her current back disorders and their relationship to service.