Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, resolving all doubts in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was incurred during military service, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his reported shell fragment wound to the left thigh or knee area, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's mechanical low back pain was initially rated at 20% prior to March 15, 2000 and increased to 40% thereafter.,The noncompensable rating for the fracture of the right little finger remains unchanged.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic low back syndrome was incurred during service and granted service connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the earliest possible effective date is July 15, 1994.

The Board has determined that the reductions in ratings for the veteran's left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities from their previous levels were not proper.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder results in no more than moderate limitation of motion and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The current 20 percent evaluation is maintained.

The veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his lumbar neuritis, but the RO needs to obtain all relevant medical records and schedule him for an examination before making a decision.

The Board denied an increase in a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain with status post fracture of a transverse process, and later granted a 20 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back injury, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease, post operative, left hemilaminectomy, and L5-S1 diskectomy warrants a disability evaluation of 40 percent.

The VA has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's low back disorder, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The new evaluation reflects moderate limitation of motion of the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran requested a withdrawal of his appeal for an increased evaluation for a low back disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to this request.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine did not preexist service or become more severe during service, and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. The veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also not considered to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and residuals of a right ankle injury.

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's thoracolumbar strain, but denied claims of service connection for cervical spine and tailbone disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective July 1, 1996. The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability or right leg shortness incurred during service, and concluded that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis and sacroiliitis, which was previously rated at 20%. The condition results in severe limitation of motion of the lumbosacral spine.