Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not originate in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service discharge. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnoses are less likely caused by in-service events.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders pre-existed his second period of active service, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show they were aggravated by such service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis (other than rheumatoid) of multiple joints, including cervical spine, left foot, wrists, hands, elbows, ankles and lumbar spine. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before final adjudication can be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, ankle and foot disabilities, neck disability, low back disability, and arthritis disability, all claimed as secondary to a right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's degenerative disc disease is related to his ACDUTRA service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for a left fifth toe disability remains pending as there was not substantial compliance with the February 2013 remand directive.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions and further examination is required for both hypertension and low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for left shoulder DJD, finding no evidence of a link between the current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and he has been granted a separate compensable evaluation for bowel impairment. The Board found that the current evaluations are appropriate based on the objective medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal disabilities, are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and whether he has a current hearing loss disability. The issues on appeal are related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with a new neurological and orthopedic examination to assess his spine and sciatica.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include right shoulder disability, back disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to assess his hearing loss, back disability, and left hand and wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's right hip labral tear with cam-type impingement is found to have its onset during an in-service wakeboarding accident, and service connection for this condition is granted.