Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's low back condition is service-connected, stemming from an in-service injury.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, manifested by pain and limited motion without significant pathology, did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his limited use of his left upper extremity and right hand, despite having some loss of use in his left lower extremity.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left shoulder radiculopathy and thoracic outlet syndrome, finding that his symptoms are most accurately characterized by the criteria set forth for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal from the September 1992 rating decision that denied his application for an increased rating for service-connected low back derangement.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, diagnosed as spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, L1-2, and anterior wedging of T12-L1, is currently rated at 30 percent. The condition causes constant, occasionally sharp lumbar pain requiring medication for relief, right paralumbar tenderness, and moderate limitation of motion affected by pain.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected conditions has been granted by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for severe right rotator cuff disease with traumatic arthritis (major).

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current back disorder, hypertension, or left knee disorder. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder as his current condition did not have its onset during service or due to a service-connected disability.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation since the effective date of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for peptic ulcer disease as not well-grounded. The appeal regarding the denial of an increased evaluation for a back disorder was dismissed due to lack of timely Substantive Appeal.

The veteran's low back pain is found to be secondary to his service-connected right foot disability, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint pain, skin rash, and low back pain due to an undiagnosed illness are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability related to these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran is entitled to service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, including right foot arch impairment, and for a low back disorder secondary to his service-connected right foot injuries. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for residuals of a right foot injury remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for left knee injury with postoperative chondromalacia. The veteran's claim is still pending.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board granted a 60% rating for lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with stenosis and radiculopathy, effective from June 16, 1989. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but denied.