Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not originate in service or until years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be reviewed to determine appropriate disability ratings using the most suitable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no causal nexus between the Veteran's in-service and post-service back pain, concluding that his current back disability is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, bilateral leg disability (due to a non-service-connected back disability), headaches, and vertigo as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran reported intermittent back pain during service but x-rays did not show any underlying pathology. No diagnosis was made at separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The reduction of the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from 20 percent to 10 percent effective July 1, 2016 was upheld.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is as likely as not due to an injury in active service, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are not service-connected. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's kidney cysts, lung disorder, and nerve disorders are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, toenail disorder, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vein disorder, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the lower extremities, and eye disorder were not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not provide any statements attributing these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the issues of service connection and rating for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA medical opinion and because his cervical spine disability may be related to his lumbar spine disability. A new examination and opinion are required.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues, including service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, sinus disorder, left thumb sprain, lumbar strain, shoulder degenerative joint disease, and onychomycosis of bilateral feet. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's low back strain, effective from September 15, 2005. The Veteran is also service-connected for bladder incontinence and bowel incontinence as secondary to his spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, back disability, and peripheral artery disease are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and is remanding the remaining issues including sleep apnea, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression) for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that a current back disorder was not incurred during service and is not related to service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to incomplete records and clarification of Reserve service dates. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence obtained.