Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spines, currently rated at 40 percent disabling, is granted with a specific rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic lumbar or cervical spine pathology during service or within one year post-service.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine and found that a compensable initial evaluation was not warranted for lipoma scars.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back condition. The veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder bursitis, erectile dysfunction, left foot spurs, a disability manifested by left little toe being larger than right little toe, and low back disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence of these conditions without any presumption or secondary linkage to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. The claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability, rated at 40 percent, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not present during service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise shown to be related to her military service. Therefore, she is denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, teeth problems (due to trauma or osteomyelitis), and a low back disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current low back disorder and his service, including any in-service complaints of low back pain. The claim for service connection is denied.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to evaluate his PTSD and back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an initial evaluation of 10 percent for the right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with sciatica secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus remains denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbosacral strain with osteoporosis and bilateral carotid and aortic stenosis, assigning a 20 percent rating for the former condition effective July 1, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and low blood pressure with chronic dizziness and lightheadedness. The decision was based on a finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied as his August 1983 application for service connection for PTSD was deemed abandoned due to failure to respond within one year. The Board also noted that the June 2001 application submitted by the veteran, which sought service connection for various disabilities including PTSD, was not received until March 2002.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for additional evidence within the required timeframe.

The Board has determined that a 60 percent rating is warranted for the veteran's service-connected mid and low back disability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective January 24, 2001.