Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability and has also granted an increased evaluation for chronic right knee pain with right patellectomy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for evaluations of his degenerative left femoral spur with history of fibroxanthoma and status post herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, status post partial laminectomy L5-S1.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder did not have its onset during service or for many years after service, and was not otherwise shown to be of service origin. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and grants service connection for a status post lumbar spine fracture and diskectomy. The right ankle disability remains at 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbar strain warrants a 40 percent rating, which is higher than the current 20 percent rating. The evidence shows severe loss of lateral motion and osteo-arthritic changes in the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine traumatic arthritis with possible disc disease warrants a rating of 10 percent, and his claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, consisting of residuals of multiple low back surgeries, is considered to have been incurred in service as a progression of his service-connected sacroiliitis with left sciatic neuropathy.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals, finding that they do not meet the criteria for more than moderate impairment.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical and thoracic spine is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 5293.

The Board denied service connection for mitral valve prolapse and denied initial ratings greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral disability including a left ileum sclerotic degree, sleep apnea, and chronic bronchitis. The veteran's claims were not well grounded for the left shoulder disorder, reflux esophagitis, asthma, and photophobia.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for chronic degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and residuals of a status post disc surgery at C-7, effective December 2, 1996. The veteran was not granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service, specifically an injury he sustained during World War II. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation for the veteran's tension headaches as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, but denied service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that a grant of the benefits sought is warranted, and service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the assignment of a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, which includes arthritis and disc disease. The condition produces severe limitation of motion of the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, but further development is needed to determine if there is evidence of a causal relationship between his current back disorder and his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the veteran's low back disability, concluding that any injury occurred during civilian employment and not related to active duty or reserve service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, now described as post-traumatic discogenic disease of the lumbosacral spine with L5-S1 disc herniation and radiculopathy, is manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, warranting an increased rating of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 5293.