Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a new VA examination and requests for relevant medical records. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine disability (other than sacroiliitis) are not related to service or any incident therein, and thus denied her claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is not related to service, and his claimed traumatic brain injury residuals are not proven. Therefore, both claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 18, 2011 and after that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service, including a motor vehicle accident during service.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease of the low back, is found to be attributable to service and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, an opinion on ED causation, a skin disorder examination, and a VA examination regarding his back, neck, right shoulder, and bilateral foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and an initial compensable rating for his right eye refractive error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as her conditions do not result in loss of use of one or both feet.,The Veteran does not qualify for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her inability to lift more than 15 pounds and engage in repetitive lifting.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include evaluations for acid-dyspepsia disorder, tinea pedis with corns, and reopening of service connection claims for fungus infection of the bilateral ears and low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the issues currently pending on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his active service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of bilateral sacroiliac joints is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar back strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and private medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as an LPN and able to perform his duties despite some industrial impairment.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral hip disability, and the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is addressed in a separate issue.