Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 1, 1997 for the payment of additional compensation benefits on account of dependents was granted. The claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current chest pain disability, low back disorder, or bilateral knee disability due to disease or injury. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's coccygectomy, L2-3-4-5 bulging discs and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The total unemployability claim was denied.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a low back injury with intervertebral disc syndrome are currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the evidence showing moderate limitation of motion and no significant symptoms such as persistent sciatic neuropathy or muscle spasms.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion and pain. The disability is currently evaluated at 40 percent.

The Board finds no evidence of any current disabilities related to the claimed conditions. The preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, flat feet, and a skin disorder to include cysts, cancer, and a rash as a residual of Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for a back disorder and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's anxiety disorder was found not to be related to his military service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral wrist fractures, show him to be unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a VA pension based on these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a skin disorder, as well as his claim for right ear hearing loss. The RO granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but did not assign a compensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected discogenic low back pain at L4-5 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability or one incurred in service.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20% and the right shoulder, wrist, and left lower extremity cellulitis disorders are all rated as noncompensable. The initial ratings for these conditions have been denied.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for severe limitation of motion and demonstrable deformity.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as a symptom of the veteran's service-connected cervical spine injury, and awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for his low back disorder.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain with bulging disc at L4-5, spinal stenosis, mechanical low back pain, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's thoracolumbar strain and denied a compensable evaluation for his right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during or after service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in November 1985. The veteran's current medical records provide sufficient information to consider her claim.