Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine is presumed to have been incurred in service, while his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's psoriatic arthritis and lumbosacral strain with herniated nucleus pulposus are rated at the maximum disability levels based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disability attributable to his military service and finds no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension. The decision is granted on both issues.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's intervertebral disc disease with lumbar strain, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines.

The Board found no credible evidence of a chronic neck or low back disorder in service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral knees (claimed as back and bilateral knee disability), and psoriasis. The RO previously denied these claims in January 1998 without a timely appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, which is considered adequate to reflect their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and a history of otitis externa. Service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis is denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and bilateral foot disability. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disability related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine osteoarthritis is related to injuries sustained in service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a spinal disorder, arthritis, and shell fragment wound scars of the neck and left ear. The claim to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an anxiety disorder was also denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance as he is able to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his congenital condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound, finding that his medical condition does not meet the criteria due to lack of a single permanent disability rated 100% disabling and substantial confinement.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, right hip disability, and bilateral hand disability due to a lack of evidence connecting these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding no evidence of injury or disease in service and concluding that any current back disability is not related to service.