Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left knee, left ankle, and low back disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that she lacked legal entitlement to accrued benefits for a period more than two years prior to the date of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating, reflecting severe loss in lumbar spine range of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and psychosis, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for the low back condition. The Board also found that the veteran's current psychosis was not well-grounded as there was no medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's low back strain does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, and denied his claims for increased evaluations. The right shoulder injury was evaluated at 20 percent.

The veteran's increased rating claims for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and his residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder with small fracture of the acromion are also rated at 10 percent. The appeal involves both service connection issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of both knees and arthritis of right shoulder and low back, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied restoration of a 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence demonstrated improvement and was consistent with prior examinations.

The veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for residuals of fracture of the coccyx and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are deferred until additional records can be obtained.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently manifested by moderate impairment, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for arthritis of the lumbar spine effective September 7, 1999. Prior to that date, the veteran's disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no competent evidence to support a nexus to service.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected low back disorder, manifested by moderate degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with no more than moderate limitation of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected low back condition, rated at 40 percent disabling, does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his other employment history and current ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and did not address the claim of residuals of chest contusion, as it was previously denied. The case is reopened for the claim of residuals of chest contusion.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded and denied them.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a left elbow disability, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the current back disability and service.