Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a heart disability at the time of his August 2009 claim and has not had one since. For the other conditions, the evidence does not support service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of PTSD, a low back disability, bilateral eye disorders, or a hernia disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increase, and a hearing are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development and requests for additional opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his residuals of pneumonia and the current level of severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to additional development needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and any associated neurological abnormalities. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that service connection for a back disability is granted, as the evidence shows continuity of symptomatology from service to the present.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied prior to March 23, 2009. From that date forward, the claim was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of timely receipt of applications to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2013 and has been rated at 40 percent since then. The cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability did not have its onset during service, nor did it manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service. The Board concluded that the Veteran does not have a neck disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the PTSD receiving a 100% rating effective October 12, 2011. No other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically DDD of the lumbosacral spine and ischemic heart disease. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions regarding these conditions' impact on employment.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing via videoconference. The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations are pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 11, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: increased ratings for left foot DJD and ankle disability, as well as service connection for a low back disorder. The Board has determined that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.