Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that service connection for an upper back disability is not warranted.,Service connection for a low back disability is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and a back disability, both claimed as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, finding that the current evaluation of 10 percent is appropriate given the symptoms and limitations described.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, finding that the current level of disability is consistent with moderate lumbosacral strain or moderate limitation of motion. The July 1969 rating decision assigning a single 30 percent evaluation for GSW residuals was not found to contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board found that the appellant is not entitled to compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for surgery at a VA Medical Center in February 1978, as there was no additional disability resulting from the procedure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he met the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) at the time of his January 1997 rating decision, and his claim was received after that decision became final.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disease is causally related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability and to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability. The decision found no new and material evidence for reopening the back disability claim.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from June 12, 1985 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a right ring finger injury in June 1997. The veteran is contesting this decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is service-connected, and he has been granted a 10% rating for his residuals of shell fragment wounds (SGW) of the back and buttock. His right shoulder disability remains at a 20% rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability and concluded that any low back problems during service were acute and transitory, resolving without residual disability. The veteran's current low back condition began many years after service and is not linked to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disorder in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right leg disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service and is not related to any in-service injury, including a reported laminectomy. The evidence does not support a finding that the current back disability is connected to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and leg injuries, have caused him to be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his pain and limited mobility.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not provide a medical nexus between the veteran's current low back disability and her service-connected left knee disability, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for back disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his time in service.