Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease at L4-5 was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them. The reasons given included a lack of competent evidence linking current disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition is well-grounded and has ordered further examination to determine the etiology of his current low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the lumbosacral spine and granted service connection for a shrapnel wound scar of the right knee. The veteran's claim for other musculoskeletal disabilities of the right knee was not addressed as it is considered part of the service-connected scar.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that new evidence did not provide sufficient material to reopen the claim. The appellant's current psychiatric disorder is presumed related to his military service, but there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and headache disorder are well grounded, and thus grants these issues.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the lumbar spine are rated at 20% due to moderate limitation of motion. The initial noncompensable and 10% evaluations for hemorrhoids and hypertension, respectively, remain unchanged.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back injury, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The claim for reopening of the low back injury was granted but found not well-grounded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the veteran's back disorder and bladder dysfunction claims, as well as a muscle group examination to determine the current nature of his service-connected left extensor fascia lata release with trochanteric bursectomy.

The veteran's back surgeries did not result in additional disability, and the Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with bulging disc and radiculopathy has been granted, resulting in a 60 percent disability rating effective from the date of the RO's determination. The current rating is 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and found the veteran's back disability secondary to her left ankle fracture. The claim of service connection for a back disability is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left hip and back disorders as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a healed fracture of the left tibia and fibula. The disability is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5262.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's low back strain. The issues of an increased rating for low back strain and entitlement to TDIU are being deferred until the claims folder is updated.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine service connection for a back disorder and myositis of the trapezius muscles, as well as evaluating PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected gunshot wound residuals are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.