Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's multiple disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes based on his service-connected conditions, as they are not of sufficient severity to render him permanently unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a higher rating or service connection based on new evidence. The seizure disability remained at 60 percent, while other conditions were not supported by sufficient evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for disability compensation and service connection are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support the onset or aggravation of his claimed conditions during his VA hospitalizations.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury is not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his December 4 to December 6, 1996 hospitalization at Saint Agnes Medical Center were granted as he had a permanent total compensation rating due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD and L5 radiculopathy, but denied his claim to reopen a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with arthritis, chondromalacia of the left knee, and chondromalacia of the right knee. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his lumbosacral strain with arthritis.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions and for service connection for bronchitis/URI/condition manifested by shortness of breath were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a well-grounded claim for service connection for bronchitis.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, diagnosed as a bilateral L-5 pars defect with degenerative changes at L5-S1, was not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for left sacroiliac strain, effective May 18, 1995.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions were granted, with the exception of the right elbow disability. The coronary artery disease was increased to 30 percent, hemorrhoids to 10 percent, low back disability to 40 percent, and right hand disability to 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current herniated lumbar disc is not related to his service, specifically noting that there was no chronic disability of the back beginning in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain and dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for his left knee disorder and residuals of a presumed spider bite to the left hand.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, and thus denied them.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded and denied them.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied an increased rating for multiple callous and surgical procedures of the feet.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the thoracic spine, and arthritis of the lumbar spine. The veteran's sinusitis is rated at 20 percent due to frequent episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.