Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for lumbar stenosis, status post L5-S1 decompression is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings, finding that he did not submit timely substantive appeals or NODs on several issues. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5295.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities were denied. His claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also addressed, but not resolved in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine, hips, and knees are well grounded claims. The RO is directed to obtain any additional medical records and schedule the veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current arthritis is related to his parachute jumps during World War II.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because his Substantive Appeal did not contain any allegations of errors of fact or law regarding the June 1997 rating decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, a nervous disorder, and hepatitis. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis and denied an increased rating for low back pain with herniated discs. The claim for unemployability based on service-connected disabilities is pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a well-grounded claim, and the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for an upper body disability to include arthritis and a back condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 13, 1993 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The original claim was denied in August 1981 and appealed in September 1984.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His vertiginous episodes, with dizziness, faintness, and headaches are rated at 30 percent under the old criteria. Service connection was not granted due to lack of competent medical evidence showing a nexus between any diagnosed disorders and active service.

The Board denied eligibility for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits due to the lack of a final decision on the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for deep venous thrombosis.

The Board has found new and material evidence to have been submitted, allowing the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder to be reopened. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking his current degenerative disc disease to any in-service trauma or to a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and a right shoulder disorder. However, the claims for other conditions are not well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify his level of disability and determine if he has intervertebral disc syndrome related to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is not well grounded, and thus denied. However, the claim for service connection for hepatitis is found to be well grounded.