Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritic conditions of the bilateral arms and back were denied as there is no evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of her claims on appeal, including those for service connection and initial disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, is not related to his service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 21, 2014. As of that date, the rating was increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations, and additional examination is needed. The RO must also obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to service. The Veteran must provide any additional medical records that may be relevant.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding service connection for inguinal hernia repairs and low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 26, 2009 for the awards of service connection for various joint conditions have been denied as there is no evidence or correspondence in the record that was received prior to August 26, 2009 which could be construed as either a timely notice of disagreement and/or a CUE challenge to the rating decisions which assigned (in December 1973) and continued (in June 1999) the noncompensable rating for migratory arthritis of multiple joints.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to her period of active service or service-connected disability. The issues of increased ratings and TDIU were also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and is considering whether new evidence supports reopening of his claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right fourth metacarpal fracture, and TDIU. The issues are mixed as some aspects of these claims have been granted while others remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the current condition is related to an injury in service. The low back and shoulder disorders are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of low back disability was denied. The claims for reopening a skin disability and TDIU were also addressed, but the decision is not clear on these points as they are marked as 'denied' without specifying which aspect.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability with pinched nerve and sciatica, which she contends was incurred in service and is aggravated by her service-connected right ankle periostitis. The Board has determined that the VA examination provided did not consider all relevant evidence and must be remanded to provide an updated opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back injury and intestinal condition. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fractures of the left tibia and fibula, as well as his associated back and bilateral hip disabilities, were incurred in the line of duty during active service. The appeal is granted.

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