Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for post contusion of the lumbar back area with myositis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability, including postoperative residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at L1, is service-connected. The examiner found no preexisting condition and attributed most symptoms to intercurrent injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine degenerative changes had their onset during active service.

The veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected intervertebral disc disease with severe lumbar spondylosis, chronic low back pain, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and coronary artery disease. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether this need for aid and attendance is related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding no competent evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain did not require hospital treatment for a period in excess of 21 days during his April to May 1993 hospitalization, so he is denied a temporary total rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has affirmed the denial of a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes, citing incomplete evaluations of non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his healed fracture of the distal left radius and ulna with traumatic arthritis. The effective date for the grant of a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected distal left radius and ulna disability was granted to December 20, 2000.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability secondary to the appellant's service-connected right ankle disability and has granted an increased evaluation of 10% for his right ankle disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from April 29, 1997.,Tinnitus was initially evaluated as non-compensably disabling prior to June 10, 1999. From that date onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disorder (status post L2-L3 laminectomy) was granted by the RO. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and an increased rating for her degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The appeals are both denied.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical examinations and addressing the SSA's decision on total disability.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following back surgery was denied as he has already received the maximum period of convalescent benefits allowed by law.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, low back disorder, sialadenitis due to an undiagnosed illness, and a body rash due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran's residuals of a fractured left mandible and right angle of the jaw were evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder, finding that the veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board's decision was vacated due to the veteran's death, and the appeal is dismissed.