Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The VA has granted service connection for mechanical low back pain and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5295.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well grounded due to a lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim for increased evaluation for low back pain with lumbar strain is pending and will be remanded.

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied because his service-connected lower back disability did not prevent him from performing the duties of a planning analyst or urban planner, and there were no employment handicaps that made these occupations unsuitable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of cold injury and arthritis due to lack of competent medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and back disability, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fractured left little toe was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The denial was based on lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and a back disorder are well grounded. The RO is directed to undertake development as outlined in the remand instructions before rating these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected mechanical back pain is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the degree of impairment attributable to this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and pulmonary disorder due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asian Theater. The appeals for chronic fatigue and arthralgia are considered well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected low back strain with arthritis, bronchitis with mild pulmonary emphysema, and residuals of pharyngeal papilloma. The current ratings are 20 percent for low back strain with arthritis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and increased ratings for his foot disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

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

The veteran's low back and left hip disabilities are not service-connected, as they did not result from VA hospital, medical or surgical treatment. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to legal provisions that need to be considered.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service. Service connection was granted for lumbar disc disease, with a presumption that it is related to the veteran's in-service back injury and subsequent automobile accident.

The veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine with herniated disc was granted effective from August 17, 1992. The RO also increased his disability rating to 60 percent for this condition as of that date.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder and found it well grounded. The veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service, and he also contends that his nervous disorder with depression, sleep disorder, indigestion, and motion sickness are all related to this back problem.

The Board denied the appellant's request for additional vocational rehabilitation training after he was declared 'rehabilitated' because his service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that they prevent him from performing his previous occupation as a case worker, and his current employment is suitable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis, lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, finding that the veteran's back condition began during service. The secondary service connection claims for right ankle and right foot conditions are denied.