Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking fibromyalgia to his service or a service-connected condition, and determined that he did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not show severe symptoms of intervertebral disc syndrome or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, as well as evaluations for the left knee and skin disorders. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused his current condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back strain is not due to an injury or disease in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability, prevent him from securing and following gainful employment. The Board has determined that the veteran meets the requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and arrange for a VA examination. The veteran's claim for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities will be reconsidered after the requested actions are completed.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury or disease during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied by the RO.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability and service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding entitlement to VA compensation benefits for a left leg condition under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 due to lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 24, 1992 for the grant of TDIU and increased the evaluation for dysthymic disorder to 50 percent. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound status is also addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and to reopen his claim of acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia). The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar paravertebral fibromyositis, discogenic disease at L4-L5, degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine, and chronic low back pain syndrome was denied as his condition did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the hips, residuals of a left clavicle injury, and a right wrist disorder. The appeals were reopened on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further development due to procedural issues. The veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease of both the lumbar and cervical spine are pending.