Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected low back disability has not worsened to the extent that it precludes him from performing his previously rehabilitated occupation as a business manager. The Board denied the claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension, asthma, and mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease L5/S1 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO continued the current 20 percent evaluation for the low back disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain since February 28, 2000. Prior to that date, the veteran's disability picture did not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral sprain, with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and arthritis, results in severe impairment that warrants a 40 percent rating.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective December 4, 1996. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the appellant. The claim will be further evaluated on its merits.

The Board denied a compensable rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left testicular disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's cervical spine osteophytes with radiculopathy and has assigned a 20% rating. The ratings for the right knee, left knee, hypertension, and low back condition are all in accordance with current regulations.

The Board finds that the veteran's back disorder and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) do not meet the criteria for service connection or a higher initial disability rating, respectively. The evidence does not establish a current disability related to service, nor does it show symptoms of significant impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain, bilateral knee disorders, and right elbow strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for post traumatic discogenic disease of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1, finding that the schedular criteria were not met.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and left knee arthritis, but denied both on the merits due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back condition in service and denied the veteran's claims for low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and ulnar nerve disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral leg disorders, as well as his increased evaluations for asthma, sinusitis, and nasal polyps. The reasons include failure to appear for VA examinations related to these issues.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty service.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with traumatic degenerative joint disease and cervical strain with traumatic degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his compression fracture of L-1 and service connection for a right eye condition. The veteran was found to have mild limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, attributed to his inservice injury, but no more than that. His right eye condition is not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to her service in the Persian Gulf, and thus denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals from a low back injury, concluding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.