Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis and a 20 percent rating for impairment of the knee. The low back disability is rated at its maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5295, with no additional compensable ratings warranted.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and pes planus of the left foot with corrected congenital clubfoot are not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of injuries to the left shoulder, low back, hips, and knees, including arthritis.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's service-connected low back disability results in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the regular and constant use of a wheelchair or other assistive devices. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 100% rating, and his claim of service connection for a chronic back disability is reopened.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated based on the criteria provided. The RO has denied increased evaluations for several of his conditions, including those related to shell fragment wounds and thoracotomy scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a heart disability, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the appellant's low back disability, effective from the date of initial service connection.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a duodenal ulcer, perforated left tympanic membrane, Bell's palsy, low back disability, or right C6-7 radiculopathy. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions are not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for his spondylolisthesis L5 with lumbosacral strain is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no competent medical evidence linking her current arthritis to military service or a pre-existing condition.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the low back disorder and denied the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder, diagnosed as herniated nucleus pulposus and lumbar fibromyositis, is not causally related to his active military service or an in-service injury.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders, resulting in a denial.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pilonidal cystectomy, and denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a nexus between any claimed disorders and his period of active duty service.

The veteran's combined non-service-connected disability rating is 60%, which does not meet the requirement for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.