Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 40% evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, which is the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain is not well grounded because he is already at the maximum disability rating under the current criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disease was incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, finding that it was incurred as a result of the veteran's active military service. The claim for lumbar disc disease with nerve involvement of the right thigh is denied due to lack of well-grounded evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating greater than 40 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability or that new evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for a nervous condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not linked to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for degenerative discogenic disease, effective from the date of the veteran's discharge from service in July 1966. The other issues have not been addressed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for chronic low back disability due to new and material evidence. The veteran's low back disability is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, which was previously granted. Service connection for chronic left hip disability remains denied.

The veteran's low back disorder, including left leg and hip numbness and pain, is service-connected.,The veteran has a current diagnosis of colon cancer, which the Board finds may be related to her in-service back injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with disc disease warrants a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of receipt of his reopened increased rating claim.

The Board found that the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is not well-grounded due to lack of evidence showing a link between the current disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 60 percent rating, which is higher than his current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disorder and concluded that the veteran's claim was not well-grounded, thus denying it.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder. The appeals were not well-grounded as there is no credible medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of service.

The Board found no competent evidence relating the veteran's low back disability to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and denied the claim of secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the upper back in the left and right scapular regions. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The veteran is found to have current disabilities including bilateral defective hearing, tinnitus, low back pain, and dermatitis, all of which were incurred in service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.