Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's left foot hallux valgus, low back disorder, and bilateral hip disorder are all service-connected. The skin cancer claim is denied.

The veteran's left leg shortening and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee are considered service-connected. However, his left knee tendinitis is not currently shown, and his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of degenerative bone and disc disease L4-L5 and L5-S1 and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for bilateral knee arthritis and arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that new evidence did not provide a basis to reopen the claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back syndrome and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to walk without the aid of braces, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile is granted, but the claim for specially adapted housing is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, resulting in its denial.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and lumbar disc disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar disc bulge at L4-L5 is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on his current disability level.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for traumatic deformity of the lumbar spine and dorsal (thoracic) spine have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective April 13, 1999. The claim for increased disability rating for sciatic neuritis has also been granted.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the veteran's current lumbar spine disorder and his military service, including an injury during service. The Court vacated the decision due to lack of consideration of medical opinions from private physicians regarding the veteran's history.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new evidence submitted since the last denial, and will now proceed to address its merits.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the appellant's service-connected myositis and fracture of a lumbar vertebra prior to June 12, 2000. Since that date, the disability is rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bronchial asthma, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including spina bifida occulta, finding that there is no medical evidence of an acquired back disability that was aggravated during service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for secondary service connection of degenerative disc disease, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 60 percent rating for low back strain L5-S1 with disc disease is August 10, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back strain warrants a 40 percent rating, reflecting severe limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and did not reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's low back strain prior to May 28, 2002 and a 10 percent rating for his hypertension. The veteran is not entitled to higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, while requiring medication, is stable and well controlled. Therefore, an evaluation greater than 10 percent for hypertension since October 1, 1998, is denied.