Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service fall, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were found to have their onset in service, warranting service connection. The issue regarding her bilateral wrist disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection based on a finding of chronic manifestations during active duty and National Guard service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is pending as the evidence does not clearly establish that it preexisted service or was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating, with no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected major depressive disorder and low back disability. The Board has ordered additional examinations, including for mental health and physical conditions, as well as a vocational assessment. The case will be returned to the Board after these evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 1, 2002, for service connection of lumbar disc bulge and internal hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no evidence showing an informal or formal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, GI disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder. However, the claim for service connection for a neck disorder remains denied as there is no medical evidence linking any current neck condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has decided the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected thoracic scoliosis and lumbar lordosis, as well as any current bilateral knee and hearing loss disabilities. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to active service. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not service-connected.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DCs 5285 and 5292. The RO also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right elbow disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not begin in service or until many years after service, and are not linked to any established in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to military service, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current status of the Veteran's back disability and whether it is related to service. The claims for hearing loss and impaired balance are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and is granting it on the merits.