Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis of the lumbar spine were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected chronic low back syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back disability is as likely as not related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected back disability, characterized by moderate limitation of motion and degenerative changes, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

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

The Board denied service connection for chronic lower back strain and left knee disability, as well as a claim for an increased evaluation for post-operative residuals of injury to the right knee. The veteran's claims were based on direct service connection due to lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and therefore denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35. The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's heart disease to any incident or condition during active military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not materially contribute to his impairment in employability, thus he is not eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the case.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for PTSD, back disorder, lung disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues are considered on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current back disorder was not caused by any incident of active service or active duty for training and is not causally related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The VA determined that the veteran's current back disability did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain and arthritis are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 13, 1999. The veteran's subjective complaints of back pain were considered, but did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for an upper body disability to include arthritis and a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, which was previously denied. The veteran currently suffers from a low back disorder that is etiologically related to a documented back injury sustained in service.

The Board denied an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine before January 18, 1994.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found new and material evidence, but service connection for lumbosacral strain with nerve root irritation was not established.

The veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent. The current evaluation is maintained at 20 percent.