Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not related to his service-connected right ankle disability and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected low back scar, finding that there was no objective evidence of pain or tenderness associated with the scar and that it did not limit function. The veteran's allegations of occasional sensitivity were found to be less probative than clinical examination findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, and his skull fracture with cephalalgia and conversion reaction warrant a rating of 10 percent. The decision is based on severe degenerative disease in the lumbosacral spine and subjective complaints of headaches.

The Board has determined that the current disability evaluation for chronic low back strain with mild lumbar scoliosis is appropriate at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis, status post laminectomy warrants a 40 percent disability rating due to severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for low back and left shoulder disorders are not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and residuals of a fracture of the right thumb with numbness, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with chronic lumbar strain, duodenal ulcer/gastroduodenitis, and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, finding that the veteran's right ankle sprain warranted a 20% evaluation and did not meet criteria for higher ratings. Service connection was granted for sinusitis but denied for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are well grounded. The veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine with disc narrowing, postoperative cervical osteotomy, and a 20 percent rating for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability was not well-grounded and denied it. The issue of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen his hip and back disability claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic low back strain is due to injury in service and granted this claim. The claim for bursitis of the left shoulder was not well-grounded as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her lumbosacral strain with MRI evidence of a herniated disc at L4-5 was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there is no medical evidence linking his current low back disorder to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's low back injury and chondromalacia of the left knee were granted increased evaluations, with the low back receiving a higher evaluation due to more severe symptoms.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has ordered a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's request. The case is being remanded back to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new VA examination report.