Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased disability ratings for the service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the release of private medical records. The claims for increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hip disability, and hypertension due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had chronic manifestations of bilateral sacroiliitis in service, and therefore grants service connection for a back disability (bilateral sacroiliitis) for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board finds that the effective date for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy should be June 7, 2007, as this is the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 23, 2013, at Orange Park Regional Medical Center due to the lack of prior VA authorization and because the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency.

The appeal is being remanded due to errors in correspondence and the need for further development, including VCAA notice on a TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a submission of new evidence from the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration by the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his foot and ankle conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with facet syndrome and radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities, but denied a claim for service connection for psychiatric disability as secondary to back disability. The Veteran is entitled to separate initial evaluations for these conditions.

The Board found that a low back disability did not manifest during service and is unrelated to service. The Veteran's current low back disability was not shown within one year of separation from service, thus precluding presumptive service connection for arthritis.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The right eye disability (cataracts and POAG) is not considered incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no credible evidence of an event, injury, or disease during service that could be related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an administrative hearing issue and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right hand disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.