Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar and thoracic disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, including disc disease and strain, is related to her period of service. As such, she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a brain stem injury or disease in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of brain stem poisoning, including related low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, strain and herniated nucleus pulposus, finding that her current symptoms are attributable to events occurring after her honorable discharge from military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed cardiovascular disorder, hypertension, back disorder, leg disorder or ankle disorder and denied all service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's myositis is related to injuries sustained during active duty for training and inactive duty training, but his degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service-connected.

The VA denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for PTSD, a back disorder, and a hernia disability due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in April 1997. The case is remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fractures of ribs were proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine injury, thus granting secondary service connection for these residuals.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is related to an in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the veteran's low back disorder, effective from September 17, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and left testicular varicocele, but denied any higher evaluations as the evidence does not support a finding of severe lumbosacral strain or significant impairment due to the bilateral testicular condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as he was not found to be in need of such assistance based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his right knee disability, as well as his neck disorder. The decision also noted that he was not seeking service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The medical evidence shows that the veteran is able to feed, dress, bathe, and clothe himself, does not need assistance on a regular basis in protecting himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, and is able to care for 'the wants of nature'. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for higher level of special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no competent medical evidence relating his current condition to an alleged injury in service.

The Board found that the veteran's right ankle, low back, left leg and ankle, and right leg disorders are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected burn residuals.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is denied due to failure without good cause to report for a scheduled VA examination.

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