Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine and rheumatoid arthritis involving the sacroiliac joints was granted, with a maximum rating of 60 percent for DDD and no compensable rating for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a compensable rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that her claims were not well-grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The veteran's claims for low back pain and hiatal hernia were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's service and obtain medical records, as well as SSA records. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC have been granted. The rating for the lumbosacral spine has been increased to 60 percent, effective from January 23, 1979, with a separate 60 percent rating for the neurogenic bladder since that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a compensable evaluation for his bilateral tinea infection. The claim to reopen his heart disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, low back, eye, and left knee disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective from November 1992.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a compression fracture of the lumbar spine (L1 vertebra), effective from October 1992, and denied an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a rating of 40 percent assigned for lumbar myofascial pain syndrome from May 7, 1996 to November 7, 1996. The mood disorder secondary to low back pain was rated at 50 percent effective from November 7, 1996.

The VA surgery in October 1992 did not result in additional disability or aggravation of pre-existing conditions, but the veteran's pain disorder associated with psychological factors was aggravated by the surgery.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis and did not grant increased ratings for the right knee disorder or low back disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, low back disability, and squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the left neck and multiple nodular goiter as secondary to service-connected bilateral suppurative otitis media. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including left and right ankle sprains and lumbosacral strain. The claims are therefore denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability, which includes chronic pain and occasional radiculopathy, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and granted an increased disability evaluation to 30 percent for TMJ dysfunction with headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, with chronic muscle strain, warrants a higher evaluation than the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, stomach disorder, headache disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new evidence does not establish service connection for the veteran's back and right ankle disabilities, but finds that her current symptoms are related to service. The claims remain inapplicable as they were previously denied.