Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbar strain does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 40 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from November 13, 2001. The veteran's other knee conditions and low back disability are rated at their current levels.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new evidence submitted, but finds that there is no causal relationship between his current complaints and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his current condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, chondromalacia of the right knee, left shoulder disability, and headaches have all been denied. The evidence submitted since the last final denial does not provide new or material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral leg disability or back disability that can be linked to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or otherwise related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, concluding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it resulted from his service in the Persian Gulf. The claims for arthritis, tension headaches, rash, and acute febrile illness were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The mid thoracic vertebra T9 disability is rated at 10 percent, the low back pain with compression fracture L1 and disc bulge L4-L5 disability is also rated at 10 percent, and the chronic left shoulder tendonitis disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities on the basis that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The RO should schedule such a hearing or obtain documentation indicating he no longer wishes one.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, effective February 21, 2002. The condition is rated under DC 5292 due to severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back strain is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's application for retroactive induction into a vocational rehabilitation program is granted, as all conditions for retroactive induction have been met.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the current condition is not causally linked to service. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, right eye disorder, back disorder, and residuals of a left leg injury are not service-connected. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.