Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions. However, the specific rating assigned and effective date are not provided in this decision.

The veteran's back and hip conditions have been found to be disabling enough for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, considering his age, education, and occupational background.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The RO conducted a VA examination and considered the veteran's symptoms, but did not provide sufficient evidence to grant the requested increase.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, including arthritis of the lower back, is not well grounded as a claim for secondary service connection to his right knee disability. The evaluations for his right knee and umbilical hernia scar remain unchanged.

The case is being remanded for further development, including verification of the veteran's service dates and procurement of medical records.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for tinnitus effective June 10, 2000. The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is well grounded. The low back disability claim was reopened and the new evidence supports the reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury and low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her claims. The claim for residuals of a head injury was denied because the VA examination report did not provide a nexus between the claimed condition and active duty service. The claim for low back disorder was denied as there is no current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a low back disability, finding that the veteran did not have these conditions related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck pain, a low back disorder, and a heart disorder. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not shown to be related to service or any incident of service.

The veteran was granted service connection for a low back disability with a 20% evaluation, effective February 24, 1993. Attorney fees are eligible from past due benefits.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and did not grant earlier effective dates. The veteran's claims were based on his military service, but the Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim was not well-grounded because there is no evidence of a relationship between any current disability and an injury incurred in or aggravated by the January 1975 VA surgery.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the appellant's symptoms were due to congenital/developmental abnormalities and not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum for severe limitation of motion. The dorsal spine disability is separately evaluated as a separate condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical evidence linking her conditions to her military service.

The Board found no evidence of a back disorder during service and insufficient medical evidence to link the current condition to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities were denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.,His degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been evaluated at 20 percent since April 1, 1985. A separate evaluation for a compression fracture with demonstrable deformity of T8-9 is also in effect.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, currently rated at 10 percent.