Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 60% evaluation for the veteran's low back disorder, which is currently rated as 40%. The veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence and diagnostic criteria. Additionally, the veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, an original rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability. The RO is instructed to readjudicate these issues with consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service records and incomplete medical history, requiring further development of the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and neck disorders are not related to his period of service or his service-connected left shoulder disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for individual unemployability. The Board requested additional medical evidence to determine if the veteran's service-connected conditions, combined with any nonservice-connected conditions, render him unable to work.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain, status post-L4-L5 diskectomy and L4 laminotomy is currently rated at 40 percent due to severe impairment. The RO has denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, but denied increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities and status post cholecystectomy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral bursitis of the hip and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support entitlement to such evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and a higher evaluation for his low back disability. The claim for hepatitis was found to be not well grounded, while the low back disability received a 20% rating effective from March 2000.

The VA has granted increased ratings for the veteran's thoracic, lumbar, and cervical spine arthritis disabilities. The current ratings are 10 percent for thoracic spine arthritis, 20 percent each for lumbar and cervical spine arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected PTSD, facial scars, or a low back condition. The veteran's headaches were not linked to his active military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected left knee disability, effective from March 1997. The claim for service connection of a low back disorder as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability is well-grounded and the veteran's current range of motion in his left knee is considered.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic acquired psychiatric disability to include schizophrenia are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple conditions, including those allegedly related to Agent Orange exposure. The decision found that there was no competent medical evidence linking these symptoms or disorders to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for severe limitation of motion.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for another Travel Board hearing on the issues of reopening service connection claims for back and left hip disorders.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for low back strain and bilateral inguinal repair scars, finding that there was no evidence of additional functional loss or impairment warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for back and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no competent evidence of a current disability or a causal link to VA treatment in November 1994.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various undiagnosed illnesses are denied as her complaints have not been objectively confirmed or linked to service.