Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine, right shoulder, and low back disabilities did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back strain does not warrant a compensable rating due to no more than slight subjective symptoms and without evidence of any service-connected restriction in range of motion.

The veteran's death was due to pneumonia, cerebral vascular accident with left hemiplegia, and Parkinson's disease. The service-connected back disability did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of death is denied. Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to walk without aid.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, which was previously denied in October 1997. The case will now proceed to address the merits of the reopened claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in November 1975.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the October 1983 decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lower back disability due to new and material evidence received since the August 1999 rating decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee or low back disability and finds that any such disabilities are less likely related to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain in March 1999. The veteran's claim was remanded and the effective date for a 40 percent rating was assigned on December 7, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disability related to service and concluded that the veteran's back pain is not service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis and chondromalacia patellae left knee, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The right shoulder disorder and low back disorder are found to be aggravated by the service-connected right below the knee amputation.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability was not present during service and is not related to any incident in service, including a spinal tap performed in 1943. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease is no more than moderately disabling, with recurring attacks, and manifested by moderate limitation of motion. The RO awarded a 20 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Board found that the reduction of disability ratings for low back pain with spondylolisthesis, hypertension, and left knee arthralgia with crepitus was proper based on clinical evidence showing improvement in the veteran's condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of dental trauma, finding that there is no evidence to connect these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and did not address the claims for hearing loss, arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension, emphysema with bronchitis, or asthma on their merits.