Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with traumatic hypertrophic changes was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has restored the appellant's disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine from 20 percent to 40 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability. The VA medical professional concluded that the veteran's current back disability was likely caused by an in-service diving accident.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. The decision is based on the lack of a timely substantive appeal for the issue of low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected as secondary to his left femur fracture. The rating for residuals of the left femur fracture remains at 20 percent, and the varicose veins are rated at 20 percent.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, varicose veins, and a chronic back disorder secondary to left knee impairment with arthritis. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than currently assigned.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects no more than slight limitation of motion and minimal muscle spasm.

The veteran's service-connected fracture of the L2 vertebra is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted an additional 10 percent rating for deformity of the vertebral body. The current disability rating encompasses severe limitation of motion and/or lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's low back disorder and bilateral defective hearing were granted service connection, with the low back disorder receiving a 40% evaluation.

The VA has denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected low back strain, finding no evidence of more than slight subjective symptoms or functional impairment since 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the lumbar spine with compression fracture at L3, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 20 percent disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative lumbar laminectomy does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more than mild intervertebral disc syndrome or moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO found that the current manifestations of his COPD, hypertension, and low back disability do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for his low back disability, nor did it meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders.

The RO granted service connection for traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the low back, but did not address a rating in excess of 20 percent.