Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, low back disability, and squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the left neck and multiple nodular goiter as secondary to service-connected bilateral suppurative otitis media. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including left and right ankle sprains and lumbosacral strain. The claims are therefore denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability, which includes chronic pain and occasional radiculopathy, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and granted an increased disability evaluation to 30 percent for TMJ dysfunction with headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, with chronic muscle strain, warrants a higher evaluation than the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, stomach disorder, headache disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new evidence does not establish service connection for the veteran's back and right ankle disabilities, but finds that her current symptoms are related to service. The claims remain inapplicable as they were previously denied.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of GERD and duodenal ulcer disease was denied. The issue regarding the reopening of a neck injury with headaches claim is also denied, as new evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted but an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is not related to his service-connected disability, and denied his claim for an increased rating. The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral knee disorders are not well-grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was remanded due to a lack of recent medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for back disability is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims were not well-grounded and denied service connection for a low back disorder and kidney and other urinary tract disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these disorders and his period of active duty service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The claim is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, low back pain, and knee disability are not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and left ear disorders, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent disabling.

Your original disability rating for your low back condition was granted at a 40% level. The VA increased it to a 60% level effective September 1, 1993, which satisfies your request.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. Service connection has been established for neck disability, back disability, bilateral knee and leg disabilities, pes planus, and hearing loss. Increased ratings have been assigned for hypertension and skin disorders.