Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling and does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support such a determination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for arthritis of the lumbar spine and chronic hypertrophic arthritis of the thoracic spine, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than those currently assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and back disorders, finding that these conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's service-connected unstable low back condition, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, multiple joint or systemic arthritis or arthritic like conditions, cervical spine disability, upper extremities disability, allodynia, osteopenia and osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, connective tissue disease, left knee disability, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disability, glaucoma, meibomian cystic infection of the left upper eyelid, blepharitis and chalazion, and urinary tract infections.

The veteran's PTSD was denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, his compression fracture and degenerative disc disease were granted a 20 percent evaluation, and his vitreous band of the left eye was not awarded any compensation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a higher rating, but not an extraschedular one.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral myositis and right S1 radiculopathy, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran is presumed to be totally disabled (due to permanent disability) for VA pension purposes, and the claim of a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is granted.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding a nexus between the veteran's military service and his current lumbosacral disc disease, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the veteran's symptoms were primarily due to nonservice-connected degenerative changes and spinal stenosis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of an injury to the right lower extremity, including the right ankle, and a back disorder. The evidence submitted since June 1993 was not found to be new and material.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder was more likely related to her post-service employment duties, and denied service connection for it.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and residuals of a left eye injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a back disorder.

The veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation since October 1996. The other service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for increased ratings.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected compression fracture of the thoracic spine at T10-11 and DJD of the lumbar spine, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.