Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied because his only service-connected condition, lumbosacral strain with myositis, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hearing disability and concluded that any low back disorder is unrelated to service. The claim for Agent Orange exposure, claimed as soft tissue lymphoma, was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to November 3, 1997 and a rating in excess of 10 percent after that date. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 50 percent for the veteran's low back disability, which includes severe limitation of motion and demonstrable deformity due to old fracture. This results in a total combined rating of 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected lumbosacral and cervical muscle strain disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's increased rating claim for chronic lumbosacral strain, currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical nexus to link his current condition to service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's gunshot wounds to the buttocks and low back, effective as of the date of this decision.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, characterized as chronic lumbosacral strain, warrants an initial 20 percent evaluation.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's back disability was caused by or related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for cervical spine disability and a 10 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, effective from June 9, 2002. The veteran's cervical spine disability was initially characterized as cervical strain but is now rated based on the criteria for severe limitation of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for initial evaluations of his scalp laceration, bursitis of the right shoulder, left shoulder disability, and right inguinal strain. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the veteran's claim of a low back disability due to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, concluding that his current disability is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, primarily manifested by back pain with radiation down the left leg, did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current acquired back disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is due to an incident or event of active military service and granted her claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar disability was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and lumbar spondylosis do not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment in a sedentary-type job.

The Board found that the appellant's current back and headache disorders are not related to military service.