Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a low back disability and secondary service connection for depression, finding no evidence of a current disability related to her period of active duty training.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for low back pain with small disc protrusion at L5-S1 and a noncompensable disability evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of low back disability, but it is not clear whether this evidence supports a finding in favor or against the claim.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain, finding that the evidence did not show pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his hypertension is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer disease with hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent, and his low back disorder is not service-connected.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar strain with L5-S1 disc disease, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely and adequately perfect an appeal of his claims for increased ratings for right leg stress fracture, bilateral foot stress fractures, pes cavus, left hip bursitis, lumbar paravertebral myositis, and clinical left L4-L5 S1 radiculopathy. The decision also noted that the veteran's claim for service connection for status post residuals of a stress fracture of the proximal and distal tibia of the left leg was granted in March 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the payment of additional compensation based on a dependent spouse, finding that no evidence was received within one year of notification and thus the earliest possible effective date is September 1, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (including ulcer), skin disorder, and headaches claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing their onset or etiology during or within one year after service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 11, 1991, for a grant of service connection for residuals of a low back injury.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the low back, finding no in-service evidence and noting negative post-service medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of compression fractures at L2-3-4 and right femur fracture do not warrant increased evaluations, as his symptoms are considered severe but do not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and granted a 10% rating for osteochondroma of the left knee. The fungal infection of the neck, shoulders, and chest was not granted an increased rating.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's left femur fracture and low back disability, but granted service connection for a psychiatric disability with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, arthritis of the spine, or ulcer and PTSD. The evidence did not establish a current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lichen planus, periodontal disease, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, fibromyalgia, and post-traumatic stress disorder have all been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Specifically, there is no competent medical evidence showing a connection between any of these conditions and the veteran's time in service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran is not individually unemployable by reason of service-connected disability.