Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder trauma and scoliosis, thoracic and lumbar spine with recurrent low back pain. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's degenerative disc disease and chronic duodenal peptic ulcer disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms or medical findings.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a left knee injury, low back disorder, neck disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and migraine headaches. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's disabilities, including his service-connected right testicle injury with epididymitis and nonservice-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 and an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain due to his failure to report for a VA medical examination.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of his right ankle injury was denied. The Board found that no increase in disability occurred prior to December 27, 1989.

The veteran's service-connected back disability rendered him unable to work from October 24, 1996 to July 15, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's status post lumbar spine fusion and right clavicle fracture with residual swelling are rated at 40 percent since June 1, 2000.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder, as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating of 30 percent for residuals of right knee trauma remains unchanged.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that his current low back symptoms are attributable to his service-connected condition.

The veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine result in severe limitation of motion, warranting a 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and arthritis of the spine may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain as secondary to her service-connected chondromalacia of the knees, finding that there was no evidence linking the current back disorder to her knee condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted, effective April 26, 1995. The veteran was found to be unable to work due to his low back disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and lumbosacral strain disabilities do not warrant a higher disability rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found no current evidence of a low back disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.