Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied by the RO, and no new evidence or changes in circumstances were provided to reopen the case.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear tinnitus, vertigo, and fractures of the lumbar spine. The claims were found not well-grounded as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.

The veteran's right foot disorder, post-operative status, is rated at 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under current VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, but granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective January 12, 1998. The appellant's claim for an increased rating prior to that date was not fully addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of a head injury to include a cysto-tumor and papilledema of the eyes, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for a cervical spine disability is not well grounded.

The Board has denied both issues on appeal, finding that the veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling and his left hand scar does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection issues due to lack of timely filed substantive appeals. The claim for service connection for headaches is not well grounded.

The VA determined that the appellant's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left acromioclavicular joint disorders do not warrant a higher evaluation based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is service-connected and grants a higher rating for PTSD. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disorder and right knee disability, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The cervical spine disorder is not found to be related to service or any other service-connected condition.

The veteran's low back strain and shrapnel wound to the right leg were granted increased ratings, with the low back strain receiving a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar syndrome does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned, as there is no evidence of moderate limitation of motion or other symptoms that would justify a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lower back disorder and left ankle disorder are not supported by the evidence of record, and therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied as the residuals of a lumbar laminectomy and an injury to the fifth digit of the right hand have not met the criteria for increased ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbar strain warrants a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings based on additional functional impairment due to pain.