Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increase in his service-connected back disability received on April 29, 1997 is granted with an effective date of April 29, 2000.

The Board has reopened the claim and found that new evidence supports a link between the veteran's current back disorder and his service, even though there is no direct evidence of an in-service injury. The Board concluded that the veteran's current condition may be related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and a low back disability, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA compensation criteria. The claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The thoracic and cervical spine disabilities are each rated as noncompensable. The impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, GERD, and right ear hearing loss are all rated appropriately.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, which was previously rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbar spondylosis, effective from November 1994.

The Board denied increased ratings for low back strain and left knee sprain, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on his current symptoms.

The veteran's service-connected fibrositis with low back pain is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not currently have a back disorder for VA compensation purposes and therefore denied his claim of service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his pes planus, and that he did not have valley fever with pulmonary obstructive disease or any other condition related to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right knee or back disability, and thus the claims for service connection are denied.

The VA denied increased ratings for the appellant's service-connected right femur and knee injuries, as well as his low back pain. The RO found that the current disability levels did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 40% based on moderate limitation of motion and no evidence of radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder claimed as secondary to left knee chondromalacia, finding no nexus between the two conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and occupational background.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of cold exposure and did not grant an increased rating for chronic low back strain with arthrosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for residuals of pneumonia. The Board also determined that his current arteriosclerotic heart disease, degenerative spondylosis and disc disease, and pericarditis were not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for memory loss and confusion, as well as generalized arthritis. The decision on left ear hearing loss is pending.,Service connection was established for amnestic disorder secondary to a service-connected heart condition.