Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is still necessary on the veteran's remaining claims, including service connection for sinusitis and increased ratings for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, hiatal hernia, and tonsillectomy.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and fracture of coccyx, but granted a 30% evaluation for bilateral pes planus with pes cavus deformity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from the original date of claim in January 1997.

The veteran's appeal is granted, with a 100% disability rating for coronary artery disease from February 26, 2003. The evaluation of the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and chronic lumbosacral strain are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in March 1980. The RO will arrange for a VA examination to determine if any current low back disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's lumbar spine and right hip disabilities, with a separate rating assigned for each condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic pain syndrome with neuroforaminal stenosis and multilevel facet degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, but denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spondylosis and lumbar stenosis are as likely as not related to his service, specifically a parachute landing in 1944 during combat. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board is remanding the case due to new evidence and procedural issues, including a request for more complete consideration of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his left foot condition, service connection for right foot pes planus, and service connection for knee disabilities and low back DDD as secondary to his service-connected left foot disorder. The evidence did not establish chronicity or a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for the service-connected severe degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective June 1, 1993.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and remanded the underlying claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability to the RO for further development.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, cervical spine injury, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with headaches have been granted. The veteran is now rated at the maximum available rating for his low back disability as of September 19, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for a left tonsillar papilloma, finding it related to service. Service connection was denied for the low back disorder due to lack of current evidence and no showing of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and his left great toe disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back injury and major depression. The effective dates of these decisions are not specified.

The Board finds that the veteran's current chronic acquired low back disorder is linked to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) due to exposure to herbicides including Agent Orange and a low back condition. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for deep veinous thrombosis of the left thigh was denied, as were claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a total rating based on individual unemployability.