Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain was not warranted due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for hiatal hernia. The effective date was not established as requested.

The VA determined that the veteran's additional disability of the lumbosacral spine was not caused by VA medical treatment in 1992, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain are not related to his service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of both claims for service connection and increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board finds a reasonable possibility exists that further examination or development will aid in establishing service connection for visual disability and tension headaches.,There is no reasonable possibility of establishing service connection for memory loss or profuse sweating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder as a residual of mustard gas exposure and for a low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for lumbar scoliosis and residuals of a right ankle sprain, finding new and material evidence. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is also well-grounded. Service connection will be granted for these conditions as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for an examination and additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hemorrhoids, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the latter claim. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, claimed as residuals of spinal tap and cyst removal, is well-grounded. The evidence shows that the veteran underwent surgery during his military service for a pilonidal cyst in 1962, which included anesthesia administered via spinal tap. Post-service medical records indicate a current diagnosis of status post pilonidal cyst resection. The Board finds sufficient evidence to connect the current back condition with the inservice surgical procedure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and assigned a 10% disability rating. The claims for arthritis of the hands and knees, arthritis of the knees, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic low back strain, and residuals of fractures to three bones of the left foot have all been granted with appropriate disability ratings.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent since September 1, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, and back disability have been denied. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria to reopen these previously denied claims.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for chronic myositis of the low back muscles and a non-service connected pension are being remanded due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder, as well as his claims for low back, left leg/ankle, and right leg/ankle disorders. These conditions are all found to be secondary to the service-connected burn residuals.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy. The Board also found that there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection for depression.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain, finding that there was no evidence of a permanent aggravation of his pre-existing condition during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if any of the veteran's claimed conditions are related to service.