Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hypertension, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected back disorder and determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of both conditions is 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for right hand pain, tinnitus of the right ear, and a back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his low back disability from December 31, 1996 was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability in 1989. The veteran submitted new evidence, including medical records and military orders, but this evidence was not considered material as it did not provide a new nexus between his current disabilities and any in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of moderate limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder and low back disability, finding that her claim was not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is not well grounded. The claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches and left ankle disability are denied.

The veteran's appeals for reopening service connection claims and seeking increased evaluations were dismissed due to the failure to file timely substantive appeals.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and low back disability are not well grounded. The claim for an increased rating of postoperative duodenal ulcer with vagotomy and antrectomy was also denied.

The veteran's low back disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, has been increased to a higher rating of 40 percent due to severe limitation of motion.

The VA determined that the appellant's nonservice-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, secondary degenerative joint disease of the right hip, knees, and low back are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current lumbar spine disability to a lumbar puncture performed in October 1986 during his VA hospitalization, and thus denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left hip piriformis syndrome, as well as her claim for an increased evaluation for adjustment disorder secondary to history of assault. The VA found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's period of active duty.

The veteran's right knee and femur injuries have been granted service connection, with the spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine being found to be aggravated by these conditions. The right knee is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, while the right femur fracture remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's thoracic spine condition and left leg and foot disorder are both service-connected, with the latter being part of his service-connected lumbar spine disability. He was granted a 40% evaluation for his spondylosis at L5-S1, which is the maximum available benefit. The veteran also received TDIU.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected low back injury, effective from the date of the March 1997 decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that 'veteran' status has not been established for the claimed period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training in 1983 or 1984.