Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim of service connection for low back strain is denied, but he is granted a compensable evaluation (10%) for his epidermal inclusion cysts of the back, neck, and buttocks.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, gout, bilateral knee disability, bilateral forearm disability, and low back disability were not well-grounded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability was granted, but he is still seeking a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a neck injury and an increased rating for lumbosacral sprain, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board finds that the veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative arthritis and left hip degenerative arthritis are as likely as not due to his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the left thigh. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between her current conditions and service.

The Board denied a claim for an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, finding that the current rating of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder warrants restoration of a 40 percent rating as of July 1, 1994.

The Board has granted service connection for an upper back disability and assigned a 10 percent rating for chronic left shoulder sprain. The veteran's current symptoms include diffuse tenderness, discomfort on palpation of the anterior shoulder and acromioclavicular joint, as well as pain during abduction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the right fourth and fifth toes, and a back disability. The decision found that there was no current disability of the right fourth and fifth toes, and insufficient evidence to establish a chronic back disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's September 1990 back surgery, which involved a lumbar laminectomy at L4-L5, was related to his service-connected residuals of a low back injury. Therefore, he is entitled to a one-month convalescence period following this surgery.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disability or heart disease present in service or within the one-year presumptive period post-service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, making it well-grounded. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of her fibromyalgia and ulcer disease is granted, while the service connection claim for mitral valve prolapse remains unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, small airway disease as secondary to asbestos exposure, and right flank muscle spasm (back disability). The decision found that there was no current disability for the left ankle claim and insufficient evidence linking the small airway disease to service. The back disability claim is pending due to incomplete records.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's COPD to military service, and his lumbar spine disability was rated as moderate limitation of motion without severe involvement. His knee disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's status post lumbar laminectomy with L5-S1 recurrent radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for his postoperative lumbar laminectomy, degenerative changes.