Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected laceration injury to the right thigh, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with left sciatica, hypertension, residuals of a right thumb fracture and residuals of a right middle finger fracture. The veteran's claims were denied for ratings in excess of the assigned noncompensable or 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that new evidence does not support reopening the claim of service connection for a back disorder, as it is either cumulative or supportive of the previous denial.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability and concluded that the veteran's low back pain is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board found that the evidence received since the June 1993 decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The veteran's low back strain and left knee arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with the Board granting increased ratings to 20 percent for both conditions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease/arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted with evaluations of 20 percent and noncompensable, respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of current disability related to his period of active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's cervical spine disability is related to her military service and grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The maxillary sinusitis with headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the left knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and multiple other conditions, preclude him from performing substantially gainful employment. His right carpal tunnel syndrome is not found to be secondary to his service-connected right arm disorders. He does not meet eligibility requirements for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment. The veteran's TDIU rating claim is denied as he has a combined disability rating of 80 percent and the evidence shows that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease and myositis of the lumbosacral spine, residuals of a fracture of the right middle finger, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a low back shell fragment wound. The additional evidence received since the March 1986 RO decision shows that the veteran has low back problems, was wounded in combat, and there is a possibility that his current low back disorder may be related to shrapnel wounds sustained in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar disc herniation and right inguinal hernia, finding no evidence of such conditions during his active duty or reserve service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected degenerative changes within the lumbar spine warranted a 40 percent disability rating, which is the highest available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on intervertebral disc syndrome or other criteria.

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for the veteran's low back disability, effective August 25, 2000. The claim of service connection for left knee disability and primary insomnia is also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for osteochondritis dissecans of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence submitted did not present new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, effective from the date of the August 2001 examination. The veteran is also awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an increased rating for his right hand fracture, and an increased rating for his left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and denied both his claim for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, status post nephrectomy, diabetes mellitus, left shoulder condition, and low back condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service.