Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board granted a 60% rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective from June 16, 1989. The attorney is entitled to 20% of past-due benefits related to this award.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is not well grounded, and his claim for an increased evaluation of his post-traumatic convulsive disorder (seizure disorder) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's cervical spine fracture residuals, multiple joint arthralgias of knees, right shoulder and low back, and hypertension are all rated at their maximum allowable levels under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the conditions. The left knee disorder claim was denied in December 1962, and the low back disorder claim was denied in July 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for rhabdomyolysis and service connection for a back disorder as secondary to his service-connected rhabdomyolysis, finding no evidence of current disability or relationship between the conditions.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection of a back condition. The VA has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted, but the veteran disagrees and wishes to present additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle injury and lumbar discogenic disease do not warrant an increased rating. The anxiety disorder is currently rated as zero percent disabling.

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

The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, are met for the veteran's disability from right knee degenerative joint disease status post reconstructive and arthroscopic surgeries, residuals of left ankle sprain, and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and determined that it is well-grounded. The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a low back condition is not well grounded, and therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left thigh disability and an increased rating for his gunshot wound of the left thigh. The evidence did not support a finding that the low back disability was proximately due to or the result of the service-connected left thigh disability.

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

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of L5- S1, but denied service connection for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and other back conditions. Service connection was also denied for nasopharyngitis and sinusitis as well as bilateral ear disability including hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The veteran is also awarded a 10% evaluation for his service-connected left great toe fracture with ankylosis, but no compensation is granted for his service-connected nasal bone fracture.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spondylosis at the C3-4 and C4-5 levels is currently rated as 30 percent disabling due to moderate limitation of motion, pain, and fatigue. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to slight limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disability, back disability, left hand disability, and rheumatic heart disease are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back condition due to new evidence showing arthritis at L5-S1 level. However, the claim remains not well grounded as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current back, lung, or skin disorders to his active service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability were not well grounded, as there was no evidence of a nexus between any inservice problems and the current disabilities.