Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the knees and a temporary total rating based on convalescence, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to service connected chondromalacia of the knees.

The RO denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the low back disorder effective July 8, 1998. The veteran's other claims were also addressed and decisions were rendered.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for periostitis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to his low back disorder, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, secondary to service-connected pes planus. The claims for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and ineffective dates, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not warrant a higher rating or earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a bilateral foot disorder, including numbness and sweating. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and thus granted service connection.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating new issues such as service connection for back disability, skin disability, and residuals of venereal disease. The veteran's PTSD rating and total unemployability claim are also pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's residuals of a fractured pelvis, finding that his current symptoms are not more than 20% disabling.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is granted, as it has been presented with sufficient evidence to be considered well-grounded. The Board found that the pre-service thoracolumbar scoliosis did not increase in severity during service and that the lumbosacral strain diagnosed after service was likely due to the veteran's condition developing during service.

The veteran's bursitis of the left and right hips are currently rated at 10 percent each, while her chronic low back disorder is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that these evaluations were appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's lumbar myositis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 29, 1998. The disability has not been found since a 1946 VA examination.

The Board found the veteran's claim plausible and granted service connection for a low back disorder, attributing it to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent from March 15, 1995 to October 20, 1996 and 20 percent on and after October 21, 1996.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen and lumbar region, as well as peritoneal adhesions. The current disability levels do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and hip disorders not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.