Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine results in moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks, warranting a 20 percent disability evaluation.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back strain with degenerative joint disease to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, identified as anxiety disorder, is granted. The Board also grants a 60 percent evaluation for his lumbar spine disorder and finds that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neurological disability of the extremities, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability as secondary to his service-connected right leg disability.,The veteran is entitled to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a wound of the right leg with muscle damage, Muscle Group XI.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability in service or within the presumptive period for undiagnosed illness, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychophysiologic musculoskeletal reaction is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and lower extremity weakness is denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted an increased rating from 10% to 20% for the veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis and degenerative joint disease, finding moderate impairment but no severe limitation of motion. The appeal is based on the merits of the claim rather than reopening or new evidence.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as a TDIU claim. The veteran appealed these decisions to the Court, which remanded them back to the RO.

The veteran's death was not caused by VA hospitalization or medical treatment, and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a low back disability from 10 percent disabling is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar lordosis is manifested by no more than mild limitation of motion in the lumbar spine, with no evidence of additional functional loss due to pain. Therefore, an increased rating beyond 20 percent is not warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury as not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left hip disorder, finding that it is related to injuries sustained in service. The claim for a low back disorder was not well-grounded and denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability. The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests that additional evidence be obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine and eye conditions are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability did not begin in service and was not caused by any incident of service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and chronic low back pain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of a formal or informal claim within one year prior to December 3, 1996.