Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is well-grounded and the Board has decided in favor of granting this claim.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected low back disability is denied as her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was not well-grounded and denied it. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of shell fragment wound were also addressed, but no rating assigned as the appeal is still pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an initial disability rating for his scar on the right cornea, as well as his claim to restore service connection for PTSD. The RO is directed to obtain additional evidence regarding the authenticity of the veteran's military awards and stressor allegations.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, including arthritis, was granted service connection. Service connection for chloracne is denied. The veteran received a 30% rating for left retinal detachment and a 10% rating for prostatectomy due to adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. The claim is not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence associating the current back disability with an injury during active service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current right-sided pain to her service or any post-service conditions, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder and hepatitis B and C, but finds that these claims are not well-grounded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board and returning it to the Board for appellate consideration.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder. The claim of service connection for headaches was found to be well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current back problems to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disorder are not well grounded. The case was remanded multiple times, but no new evidence was provided to support these claims.

The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective from April 11, 1997.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his degenerative disc disease at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 with lumbosacral strain. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and consider whether separate disability ratings are warranted.

The Board found that the appellant's multiple disabilities do not render her unable to perform activities of daily living without assistance, and thus did not meet the criteria for special monthly DIC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board found that the appellant's claim was not well grounded and denied service connection for back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service, including an in-service injury while playing softball. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, and the RO is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence.

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