Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, prevented him from obtaining gainful employment and granted basic eligibility for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current back disability to service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's request for an increased rating and a temporary total rating after November 30, 1997 based on post-surgical convalescence was denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, finding that there was no competent evidence linking current diagnoses to an inservice injury.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the residuals of a fracture of the left distal fibula rated at 20 percent, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine rated at 10 percent, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's lumbar spine fusion at L5-S1 with radiculopathy, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of multiple joints manifested by pain is well-grounded. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which represents moderate impairment. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic lumbar myositis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disability and secondary service connection claims were denied. His right pubis and right leg disability is currently rated at 30 percent, while the scar is noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for nonservice-connected disability pension purposes, including consideration on an extra-schedular basis, was denied. The RO also considered service connection for right knee disorder but did not grant it.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left tibia is well-grounded, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,The veteran also submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disorder. The reopened claim is well-grounded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability evaluations for residuals of a lumbar spine injury, right shoulder injury, and cervical spine injury due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The current level of severity of these disabilities could not be determined without updated examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim to reopen his low back disorder was also granted, but the new evidence did not fully satisfy the criteria for reopening as it pertained to a different issue.

The Board found that the appellant's claim of service connection for a low back disability was not well grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking his current medical findings with his period of service or any service-connected disorder.

The Board denied service connection for stomach disorder, gastroenteritis and ulcers, low back disability, and heart disease. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material to reopen any of the claims.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for back disability is not well grounded due to lack of a chronic disability in service and inconsistent post-service medical history.,The Board also denied claims for service connection for right ankle disability, headaches, epitaxis (nose bleeds), and kidney stones.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, and his neck disability warrants a 10 percent rating. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was not well grounded due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards. The low back disability issue is remanded for further development and consideration.