Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for service connection was granted effective February 3, 1946. The case also addressed an increased evaluation for his L4-5 degenerative disc disease with chronic myofascial lumbar pain syndrome.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the final denial in 1994 is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 7, 1995.,From January 28, 1995 to April 7, 1995, the veteran received a 40 percent rating for his service-connected low back disability.,The current effective date is June 1, 1995, when he was assigned a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were not well-grounded and denied them.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left hip fracture, which he claims was caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Board has requested additional records and ordered a special examination to determine the cause of the hip fracture.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, including his reports of pain, are adequately reflected by a 20 percent schedular rating currently in effect and does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria necessary for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no evidence showing a relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, is rated at 70 percent effective January 1995. His residuals of left mandible fracture are rated at 10 percent and his residuals of right wrist fracture are also rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome or other symptoms that would justify a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a ventral hernia and low back disability are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right, left ankle disabilities and back disability are attributable to injuries sustained during a parachute jump while on active duty. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back strain is well-grounded and grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of bilateral leg injuries and residuals of a low back injury are not well grounded, as there is no competent evidence linking current disabilities to service or an event therein.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, as no such evidence was presented since the final December 1958 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and lumbosacral strain, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the right fourth finger. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability began during service and is not related to any pre-existing condition, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for a back disorder as secondary to the service-connected impairment of the right knee is not well grounded and therefore denied.