Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes based on nonservice-connected disabilities was also denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 14 to June 21, 1995 were denied as the VA determined that his condition had stabilized by June 13, 1995 and he could have been transferred to a VAMC for continued care.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of L4-5 with right hip pain, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5293.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and right mandible fracture, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have well-grounded claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, neck, and back disorders. The claims are denied.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized private hospital care is denied because the VA medical facilities were feasibly available and her transfer would not have been hazardous to her life or health.

The Board denied both claims for service connection due to a lack of competent evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of low back disability, service connection for cervical spine DJD and DDD, and separate service connection for scoliosis of the low back were denied. The RO found no evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain was not well-grounded due to a lack of evidence linking his current diagnosis to an inservice injury or symptomatology.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder warranted a 10% evaluation, but denied his claim for an increased rating. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending and requires further investigation.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities due to the veteran's congenital or developmental defects that existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury is not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking current cervical spine disability to any inservice disease or injury.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine warrants a disability rating of 20 percent, effective June 1995. The current condition is characterized by forward flexion to 62 degrees and other limitations in motion.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain effective from November 18, 1999.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not well-grounded. The Board found that the scar in the right axillary area is residual to a surgical excision of an underarm growth incurred during wartime service, and granted service connection for this condition. However, the other claims for service connection were not well-grounded.

The veteran has withdrawn all issues currently on appeal, including the requests for increased evaluations and a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability with right shoulder pain, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain. The reasons are that there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to his period of active service.