Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar disc disease was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his service-connected knee disabilities. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The veteran was awarded a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. � 4.30 from February 21, 1997 through February 1998.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and degenerative disc disease. Service connection was not granted for hypertension due to lack of evidence.

The veteran's appeal for initial compensable disability ratings for a laceration of the left index finger and lumbosacral strain was dismissed as he did not file a timely substantive appeal after receiving the statement of the case.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder, finding that any pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service and that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show it existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a back injury during service and developed chronic low back disability. The claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease and L5 radiculopathy, with a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with right hip pain was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the request to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of an injury during National Guard reserve service on May 11, 1984. The claim is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not warrant a compensable rating, assigning a 10% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chest disability and a back disability, finding that there was no current evidence of these disabilities and that they were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's back disability is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from June 7, 2000. The RO found that the veteran had been marginally employed due to his service-connected disabilities since January 1, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection, finding that his left hamstring and quadriceps strain warranted a 10% rating, arthritis and spondylosis of the low back were related to service-connected disability, but there was no evidence supporting service connection for hip or knee disorders.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, which is the maximum schedular rating available under both old and new criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, right knee instability, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee do not warrant evaluations in excess of 20 percent, 10 percent, or any other assigned rating, respectively.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder was aggravated in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.