Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back conditions are not well-grounded as there is no evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for chronic low back strain with pain as residual of injuries in service, based on severe disc disease and radicular findings.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his current symptoms do not meet the criteria for this condition.,The Board also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the low back disability claim. The Board found that the additional evidence did not provide a plausible basis for reopening the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, low back disability, and hypertension are not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current disabilities and military service.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for back disability and residuals of right ankle sprain, as well as a compensable evaluation for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The claim for increased evaluations for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist is still pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a video-conference hearing and for issuance of a statement of the case on his claim for back disorder.

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

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected right thigh wound. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were directly related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated by service and is now considered a disability. A current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine has been established, and it is as likely as not related to findings during his second period of active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The veteran was granted a compensable rating for his retained foreign body of the left hand.

The veteran's service-connected fibromyositis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, and there is no basis for a separate rating based on multiple noncompensable disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected low back syndrome, effective from March 2, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and assigned a 30 percent rating for chronic bilateral maxillary sinusitis, effective from October 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5295.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of his service-connected right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracic spine disorder are not well grounded. The preponderance of evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemophilia, back disability, and left knee disability. The decision also noted that a new issue of entitlement to service connection for depression was referred to the RO&IC.