Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hiatal hernia and degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms. The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for each condition.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to military service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The subcutaneous nodule of the right costal margin is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is not service-connected, but his neuropsychiatric disorder and low back disorder are. The claim for an increased rating for the fracture of the left ankle remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability related to his active service and has denied service connection for this condition. The veteran's second degree burns of the left arm, left axilla, and right lumbar region are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, residuals of a stroke (claimed as loss of sight, swollen ankles, and heart damage), arteriosclerotic heart disease, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder. The appeals were decided on the merits without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from March 24, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of gunshot wound, chest with splenectomy; costochondritis; and chronic low back pain. The evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the service-connected seborrheic dermatitis, effective from when the claim was filed. The low back pain with degenerative disc disease remains at its current level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain is related to active military service, warranting service connection. The left knee disability does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for DDD and DJD of the cervical spine, effective May 3, 1998. The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for DJD of the lumbosacral spine is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of low back and sacroiliac joint injuries are entitled to a 40 percent evaluation, effective October 23, 1997.

The RO denied service connection for a back disorder on the basis that there was no evidence of treatment during active service. The case is being remanded due to changes in the law and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran is granted special adaptive housing assistance due to his service-connected back disability, which requires the use of a wheelchair for locomotion.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a low back injury and neurogenic bladder, are currently rated at 10 and 60 percent respectively. The RO denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU.

The Board finds that the veteran's current lumbosacral disc disease is related to her injury during reserve duty in June 1994, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for post-operative left varicocele and service connection for a left inguinal hernia, psychiatric disorder, and degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as back) were denied by the RO. The RO also denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a compensable evaluation for lumbosacral strain due to lack of new and material evidence, and because there is no clear medical opinion linking current low back symptoms to military service.