Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, but finds that it is not well-grounded and therefore cannot be granted.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including depression, dysthymia, anxiety, psoriasis, hypertension, and low back strain, are not service-connected. The RO found that these conditions are secondary to his alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left heel disorder with subsequent amputation of the left foot, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that there is competent medical evidence linking these disorders to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a direct service connection for the veteran's left foot, ankle, and low back disorders. The claims were denied as not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability on a direct basis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board found no current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed low back and right ankle injuries, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied. The claim for reopening a previously denied service connection for stomach and bowel disorder remains closed due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder incurred during active duty for training and assigned an initial compensable rating of 10% for right patella subluxation. The claim for high blood pressure is denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a special VA orthopedic examination.

The veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating to 20 percent is warranted based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, and thus denied them.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for ankle and knee pain, low back pain, great toe injuries, and a heart disorder are not well-grounded because there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his periods of active duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc herniation due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current back disability to any incident of service or his service-connected knee disabilities.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support a claim for service connection of the veteran's back disability, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's basic eligibility for VA loan guaranty benefits is denied because he did not have the requisite qualifying military service, as his discharge was due to unsuitability for bedwetting rather than a service-connected disability.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for an increased rating to 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was limitation of motion and pain on motion.

The veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service medical records. The RO will attempt to secure these records and review them to determine if they can support the veteran's claims.

The Board has denied service connection for left arm pain, right arm pain, leg cramps, and low back pain due to undiagnosed illnesses. The veteran's hypertension claim is pending as additional development is needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disorder, granted an increased rating of 20 percent for chronic prostatitis, and denied his other claims. The appeal is not about service connection at all.