Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for a low back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to support it.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for COPD and a back disability. The claim for COPD was based on tobacco use, which is barred by law due to its effective date after June 9, 1998. The claim for a back disability was denied as new evidence did not reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for a low back disability should be May 11, 1993. The veteran's claim was initially denied in November 1993 but was later granted with an initial noncompensable evaluation effective July 13, 1995. The Board has now assigned the earliest possible effective date of May 11, 1993.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar stenosis is service-connected, as it was aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no competent persuasive medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board granted an effective date of July 31, 1992 for the assignment of a compensable rating (10%) for the veteran's service connected lumbar spine disability. The Board also granted a 20% evaluation from February 3, 1994.

The veteran's asthma, low back disorder, vaginitis and vaginal infections, and residuals of a C-section are all found to be service-connected.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain, including osteoporosis and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD, back disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, and hepatitis. The appeals were dismissed due to failure to file a timely appeal.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found no evidence of current psychoneurosis hysteria or low back strain, and denied service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO confirmed the current evaluations of his eczematoid dermatitis (10%) and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (40%).

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and migraine headaches. The appellant's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports the veteran's contention of in-service injury resulting in current chronic low back strain.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 3, 1994 through July 5, 1994 at the Philippine General Hospital is denied as none of the required criteria have been met.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as there was no earlier effective date granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 24, 2000 for a 40% disability rating for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the neck and low back, as well as his claim to reopen a stomach disorder secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also noted that new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the stomach disorder claim.

The Board determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active service.