Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as degenerative spine disease, is not well grounded. The veteran's current diagnosis of a low back disorder does not have a clear link to his period of active service or any other established basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left hip disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain, finding that his claims were not well-grounded.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have not been well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the residuals of a low back injury with radiculopathy, effective from the day following the veteran's separation from service. Ratings in excess of 20 percent have been denied for right shoulder strain and left shoulder strain, and ratings in excess of 10 percent have been denied for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected residuals of a flak wound of the right knee. The claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is well grounded but requires further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are service-connected, with no presumption or new evidence involved.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected sacroiliac injury with arthritic changes of the lumbar spine requires further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging appropriate examinations to determine the current severity and nature of his disability. The case is being remanded to the RO for these actions.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) L4-5, effective September 23, 1999. The condition was found to be moderate in nature.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to a clothing allowance.

The veteran's claim for an increase in his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records. The case will be reviewed again after these are obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a bilateral leg disability are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking current disabilities to an injury in service.

The veteran's DDD at L4-5 with right hip pain is granted a 60 percent evaluation effective February 26, 1998 and increased to 40 percent effective February 19, 1999.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will also schedule the veteran for examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, are service-connected. These conditions were first noted post-service but may be related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant's appeal was timely filed, and thus the claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders is now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent rating according to applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of the status post lumbar spine fusion warrant a 60 percent disability evaluation, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.