Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, left hip, right knee, and left knee with fracture of the femur were all evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The noncompensable evaluation for the lumbosacral spine was increased to 20 percent effective April 2, 1998.

The veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain is granted effective from December 25, 1992.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral herniated nucleus pulposus and residuals of a left little finger injury, but denied the claims for higher initial ratings. The veteran's lumbosacral herniated nucleus pulposus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, while his residuals of a left little finger injury are rated as noncompensable.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral Osgood-Schlatter disease and a low back injury, citing insufficient medical evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance was denied because he is not in 'good health' aside from his service-connected disabilities, as determined by VA criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his low back disability is denied as the current medical evidence does not show that his condition warrants a rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5295. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected epididymitis with cyst is rated at 10 percent, lumbosacral strain at noncompensable, and left knee disability at 20 percent. The appeal for increased ratings is granted in part.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability, as the evidence does not link a current back condition with service or any incident of service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability. The claim is also considered well grounded based on the provided evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a low back injury from 20 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a low back injury, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim is well-grounded as there is current disability of the low back.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any type of nervous disorder or evidence to support his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's headaches, blackouts, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, optic nerve damage, and nasal fracture, all claimed as residuals of a motor vehicle accident. The RO also assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's scar above his right eyebrow.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected chronic low back pain, finding that there is no evidence of muscle spasms or absent ankle jerk indicative of a higher rating. The veteran's asbestosis was granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not file an adequate substantive appeal regarding their claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain, and thus lacks jurisdiction to consider this issue.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person, and he is not blind or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less in both eyes. Therefore, his claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound benefits due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining x-ray studies and a VA orthopedic examination to assess functional loss.