Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran submitted new and material evidence sufficient to reopen his claim, allowing him to receive a disability evaluation for his low back condition effective January 28, 2000.

The Board has found the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and asthma are well-grounded. However, additional VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back disability, neck injury, right epididymitis, hypertension with chest pain, dental condition secondary to sinusitis, and asthma secondary to sinusitis are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative disk disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, while his fractures of the ninth and tenth ribs were already rated as noncompensable. The appeal was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a low back fracture due to new evidence submitted, but further development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to incomplete medical records and a need to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back injury and sensory changes of the right tibial nerve, contributed to his cause of death from an acute myocardial infarction.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear disability, dizziness, and back disorder are not well grounded as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have L5-S1 radiculopathy and denied his claim for higher disability evaluation for chronic mechanical low back pain. The current rating of 20% is appropriate given the veteran's symptoms.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current chronic back disorder, including residuals of a laminotomy, to his active duty service. The claim was denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and lumbosacral spine arthritis, finding that the symptoms of pain and limitation of motion more nearly approximate the criteria for such a rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder, right ankle sprains, and residuals of left ankle sprains have been denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee arthritis, post-operative left knee injury, and lumbosacral strain. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's thoracic-lumbar strain, which is more severe than the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and low back disability are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved. The decision grants these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The RO must now determine whether this claim is well-grounded.

The Board has ordered additional development to evaluate the severity of the veteran's service-connected low back disability, including considering all factors identified in 38 C.F.R. � 4.40 and 4.45 (1999). The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back disorder, prostate disorder, and PTSD due to a lack of new and material evidence.