Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain, finding that there is no evidence linking his current low back disorder to his period of active service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, and it is unclear whether new evidence supports reopening the claim for psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disability existed prior to service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service. The claim for service connection was denied as there was no evidence of aggravation or superimposed injury, and the appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and status post anterior cruciate ligament repair in the right knee are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, arthritis, and depression as secondary to bilateral postoperative hammertoes.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the effective date for the grant of service connection and award of disability compensation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, effective from August 31, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, right leg disorder, progressive polyneuropathy of the left leg, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of residuals of a fracture of the right little finger was denied, and his claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, with a 10 percent rating assigned for each condition.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and cervical spine condition, but granted higher ratings for instability of the left knee disability and tinea pedis. Service connection was not established for hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for photophobia or a low back disorder. The veteran's claims have been denied.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral sacroiliac strain, the maximum available under VA's rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board concluded that his terminal disease process was more likely due to his Parkinson's disease and Shy-Drager Syndrome with neurogenic bladder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of their current ratings.

The Board granted an increased rating for the service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's combined disability evaluation is 40 percent.

The VA has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine, effective December 1997. The claim for secondary service connection for bipolar disorder is also granted.

The veteran was granted TDIU benefits effective from March 18, 1993, the date of his claim for higher evaluations due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a separate compensable evaluation for lumbosacral strain apart from the service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the spine.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's current level of disability and service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.