Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain due to new evidence received since the last denial. However, the claim is denied as there is no current chronic low back disability related to his in-service injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that his current conditions are not related to his service-connected pes planus. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was also denied.

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

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision. The case will be dismissed.

The Board granted an effective date of December 23, 1999 for the grant of a 20 percent rating for service-connected low back condition. The veteran's claim for reopening his cervical spine disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, and a tender scar in the thoracolumbar area. A temporary 100% rating was also granted from July 19, 2002 through September 30, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and low back strain, but denied service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and chest pain.,Service connection is established for a left knee disability (patellofemoral syndrome) due to continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for a low back disability is granted based on the veteran's reported history during service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and denied increased ratings for mood and panic disorder and mechanical low back strain. The veteran's current conditions are not related to her active duty, and the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine is not related to his time in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including proper VCAA notice, jurisdictional changes, and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar disc disease, which is service-connected, had its onset during his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of T-12 was granted, with the effective date set at March 21, 2000. Effective dates earlier than March 21, 2000 were also granted for service connection for osteoarthritic changes of lumbosacral spine and moderate right lower extremity weakness, as well as a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates in several issues, including her service-connected scoliosis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, tender scar in the thoracolumbar area, TDIU, DEA, and temporary total rating for surgical treatment. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a low back injury and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction based on VA treatment, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening the claim for service connection and that there was no causal link between the veteran's current condition and his VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred or aggravated in his active duty service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board determined that the veteran's low back pain/back strain does not warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent, as there is no evidence of severe limitation or intervertebral disc syndrome. The disability currently meets the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his lumbar spine DDD was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective as of September 23, 2002. The decision also included separate ratings for orthopedic and neurological manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that new evidence supports reopening the claim.