Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining an opinion on direct service connection and addressing the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran is granted service connection for sleep apnea and a temporary total rating following lumbar spine surgery in September 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal in July 2016.

The Veteran's appeal concerning his disability ratings for PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal regarding the issue of a rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining employment records from the Veteran's former employers and any worker's compensation claims. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Veteran's service-connected left forearm disability and back disability have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective June 10, 2011.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and whether it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining service treatment records and other relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disorder and sleep apnea.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for low back and neck conditions, as well as osteoporosis. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of current respiratory or right hand disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected, but denied his claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the April 2007 and August 2012 VA examinations, as well as the need for additional service personnel records and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which prevented a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for disability of the right hand, disability of the right shoulder, disability of the lumbosacral spine, and disability of the cervical spine.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding records and further medical opinion is needed regarding whether any back disorder is related to the Veteran's military service, including a June 1962 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as PTSD. The Veteran's in-service injury to his front teeth is considered a dental trauma.