Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and bilateral pes planus, as well as his claim of service connection for painful low back, legs, and knees secondary to service-connected pes planus. The RO was directed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back strain, which was initially denied in July 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, skin disability, and hernia due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches do not warrant increased ratings as they are currently evaluated.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back, right knee, and right hip disorders are not related to his service or a service-connected condition. However, he was granted service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right great toe with traumatic arthritic changes.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, effective from November 1, 1998.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal, finding that separation pay should be recouped from his VA disability compensation as required by law. The veteran argued for financial hardship and a delay in initiating recoupment proceedings, but these arguments were not sufficient to overturn the requirement.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 25, 1991 for the award of disability compensation benefits for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain. The appeal is now remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to lack of medical evidence linking any current impairment in his back to service, despite allegations and statements from the veteran and his mother.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized home improvements and structural alterations, finding that there was no medical emergency necessitating the installation in March 1997.

The Board found no evidence to support a relationship between the veteran's service-connected knee disorders and his current low back or gastrointestinal conditions, thus denying both issues.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's back disability is a result of an injury sustained during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for hypertension, finding that the schedular criteria for a higher rating were not met and that hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty for training.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an increased rating for bilateral flat feet with claw toes, as well as her claim for an increased rating for allergic vasomotor rhinitis. The decision also notes that the veteran claimed entitlement to service connection for hallux valgus of the right foot in February 2000, which was granted separately.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including a de novo evaluation of service connection for low back disability and an increased rating for residuals of left varicocelectomy.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to service and denies his claim for service connection.