Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The VA has determined that the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his thoracic back disorder and hypertension are denied. The current ratings assigned do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability and assigned a 20 percent rating, effective February 10, 2000. However, the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent remains before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of service connection claims for postoperative lumbar laminectomy syndrome and arthritis of the right hip, both potentially related to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, resulting in a mixed decision as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeals for higher initial evaluations were also denied. The veteran was granted a reopening of his claim for irritable bowel syndrome on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne due to herbicide exposure during active military service. The low back disorder claim is remanded as it was not well-grounded in the previous rating decision.

The veteran's service-connected sinusitis is manifested by more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year, warranting a 30 percent disability evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disorder was denied, and the original denial of service connection for his low back disorder remains final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, was denied due to lack of well-grounded evidence.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was incurred in active service, specifically due to hypertension and congestive heart failure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, manifested by grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5-S1 with decreased disc space and moderate limitation of motion, warrants a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disability and an increased rating for his bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that these conditions were proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has completed a vocational rehabilitation program and is currently employed. Therefore, his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The veteran's mechanical low back pain has been assigned a 40 percent evaluation, and the Board has now granted an additional 20 percent rating to reach a total of 60 percent for this disability.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the underlying rating decisions are vacated.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis, do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected lumbar spine strain was granted, with the disability rated at 20 percent effective from March 5, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current back disorders are related to his service in March 1945.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his service, specifically jumping out of a helicopter from a height of fifteen feet during combat in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The issue of tinnitus is remanded due to insufficient medical records.