Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board found no evidence of a new back disability during service and concluded that the veteran's pre-existing scoliosis did not worsen as a result of military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and denied her claim for increased evaluation of bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the highest rating of 20% assigned for cervical strain.

The veteran meets the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating for her lower back disorder, which includes intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteochondritis dissecans of the right knee and chronic low back pain, finding that a rating in excess of 60 percent was not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and secondary service connection for a skin or eyelid disorder, including as related to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a direct link between current conditions and service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral disc disease with sciatica, effective from July 1997. The veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be service-connected as secondary to her in-service work as a medical assistant.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the period from August 1, 1998 to October 31, 1998 and a rating of 40 percent for the period from November 1, 1998 forward.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, which was previously denied in 1970. The veteran's current symptoms are being considered under the presumption of aggravation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, and it is now established that his current back disability is due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the veteran's current lumbar spine disability and his service, including any in-service injury. The claim was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a septoplasty, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, low back pain, headaches, and cervical spine pain. The veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mechanical midthoracic to lower lumbar back pain warrants a 10 percent rating from January 31, 1996, through July 24, 2000. Since July 25, 2000, her chronic mechanical back pain, scoliosis and disc disease is rated as 40 percent disabling.

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

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted his entry into active military service, and thus rebutted the presumption of soundness. The Board also determined that the veteran's preexisting low back disability did not increase in severity during his period of active military service and was not incurred or aggravated by any injury sustained during service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for service connection for a dental condition is precluded by law.

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

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disorder and found that his low back disability is not secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.

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