Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The veteran's low back injury with degenerative changes, spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for an increased evaluation has been denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability, effective from August 17, 1992. The veteran's service-connected herniated disc disease was also granted.

The Board found no evidence of chronic back disorder in service, and the medical opinions were not sufficient to establish a nexus between the current back disorder and service. The claim was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder did not begin during service and is not causally linked to any incident of active service, including his in-service lifting injury. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding that the disability began during or is related to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision is based on the lack of new evidence addressing whether the veteran was in sound condition upon entry into service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for a back disorder and shoulder disorder have been denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examinations did not find any current disorders, and the medical records do not provide sufficient continuity of symptomatology or link between service and current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and found that it was incurred during her active military service. The Board granted service connection based on new evidence submitted since the last final RO decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including chest pain, chronic sinusitis, a nervous condition, a nervous stomach, residuals of an ear infection, pleuritis, a back condition, and ulcerated colon and colitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 60 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a higher rating but still maintains that issue on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple joint arthritis and arthralgia, finding that the veteran's current condition may be associated with his service-connected tuberculosis. Service connection was denied for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence linking it to active service or a service-connected condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's spondylolisthesis of the low back does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it only meets criteria for moderate limitation of motion and no more severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and assigned a 60 percent rating for the veteran's neurogenic bladder with urinary tract infections, finding that her current symptoms are related to in-service injury. The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied as there is no evidence of multiple urethroperineal fistulae, malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system, or renal dysfunction.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to his in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the appellant's current low back disability is related to injuries sustained in service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease effective from May 15, 2000. The right knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to this decision and remains unchanged.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that it produces severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and back disorders are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore denied both claims for secondary service connection.