Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine were incurred during service, did not exist prior to service, and were permanently aggravated by service. The claims are therefore granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for left acetabular rim degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence of such disorders being incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim for most of his conditions, except for those related to in-service injuries and current manifestations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis at L5-S1, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the left knee claim and determining that the current 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain is appropriate.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a low back injury. The case will now be evaluated based on all available evidence, including the veteran's in-service accident and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that the veteran's preexisting back condition was aggravated by service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected residuals of lumbosacral surgery effective August 3, 1996. The claim for an earlier effective date for the 60 percent rating is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his anxiety disorder and duodenal ulcer, as well as service connection for abdominal aneurysm, back disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD. The RO evaluated these conditions at their current assigned rates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his low back pain with herniated disc are not well-grounded. The cervical spine disability claim is denied as there is no medical evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service, while the low back pain claim remains at 20% due to moderate intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a chronic acquired disorder of the lumbar spine as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's back condition is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and low back disorder are not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and a back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an undisplaced fracture of the C-6 spinous process, and a heart disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a current disability or a relationship between any in-service injury or disease and the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current back symptoms are related to his service, and granted service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim for an increased rating for bilateral otitis media remains granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, resulting in a denial of the application.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 27, 1999 and denied for an increased evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lower back disorder due to new evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for agoraphobia with panic attacks, linked to an in-service incident.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis were denied as the veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.