Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral disc and joint disease, a 10 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, or any other condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for lumbar strain is well-grounded and remanded to allow further development. The claims of bilateral shin splints and bilateral plantar fasciitis are not well-grounded.

The Board finds that the veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to his service-connected thoracic back strain. The criteria for a higher rating for his thoracic back strain have been met, but he does not meet the requirements for a TDIU rating.

The Board has denied both claims for higher evaluations, finding that the veteran's conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of what is currently assigned.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome post lumbar laminectomy with sacroiliitis, from 40 percent since June 1997.

The Board found that the veteran's claim is well grounded and granted service connection for residuals of a low back injury, attributing it to an in-service jeep accident.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from May 4, 1999.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L4 to L5, post-laminectomy and fusion, results in severe disability but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The VA granted a 10 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 prior to February 25, 1999 and a 20 percent evaluation from that date onwards.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder is not related to her spinal tap performed in service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and his epidermophytosis of the feet remains at 10 percent. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The veteran's left ankle disability is granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, but his claims for low back and bilateral hearing loss are denied as not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of yellow fever and a low back condition, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for service connection for a nervous condition. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease is related to his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and a back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the low back is granted due to a diagnosis within one year postservice. The claim for respiratory disability (emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with pulmonary fibrosis) is denied as it does not meet the direct basis requirement. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for low back disability and fungus of toenails are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder is well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a seizure disorder secondary to his service-connected low back disorder and for an increased rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability was set at March 19, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder, bilateral knee disorder, stomach disorder, hiatal hernia, fatigue, and back disorder (arthritis of the lumbosacral spine) are not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions.