Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder as secondary to the veteran's right foot disability, and assigned a maximum allowable rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted, with a 20 percent rating effective September 1995. The RO conducted additional examinations and provided the veteran with further development of his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's back disorder as secondary to his service-connected knee disorder. The rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted a non-compensable rating for the scar of the right buttock.

The Board has determined that the appellant's spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine warrants a 60 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under current rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, back disorder, and skin disorder as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee replacements and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, do not render him individually unemployable.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury or disease in service, and the appellant's current back disorder is not linked to his military service.

The veteran's disability compensation benefits are not subject to an increased apportionment on behalf of his dependent children due to the financial hardship it would cause him and the fact that he is already receiving a full 100% rating for his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and neck disabilities have been denied. The RO has assigned the maximum evaluations allowed under VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no significant limitation of motion. The claim was denied.

The veteran's low back disability is service-connected and his right shoulder disability is not. The RO granted an increased rating for the residuals of a fracture of the right tibia.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder related to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as the underlying claim of service connection must be remanded.

The veteran's low back disorder is not considered to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee injury and lumbar spine disorder, with a rating of 50% for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's cervical strain is rated at 30 percent, lumbosacral strain at 40 percent, and chronic synovitis of the left knee at 10 percent. The veteran also meets criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.