Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed back, knee, ankle, and heel conditions as well as headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a new VA examination and further development of his claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right anterior tibial fasciotomy was granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned. Service connection for lumbago and varicose veins of the right leg were also granted as secondary to service-connected right anterior tibial fasciotomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee arthritis, bilateral elbow and hand arthritis, back disability, bilateral ankle arthritis, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and dental trauma. The appeals were based on a claim of cold weather injury during service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issues of service connection for neck and back disabilities, effective June 13, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the submission of any outstanding medical evidence. The issues include higher initial ratings for his service-connected back and right shoulder disabilities, a TDIU claim, and an annual clothing allowance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate development of his service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as the TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right axilla phlebitis are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the claim was filed on June 17, 2011. The Veteran's other issues are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbosacral spondylosis or cervical spondylosis disability that is etiologically related to his military service. The evidence shows no indication of such conditions during service and the VA examiner's opinions do not support a finding that these conditions are due to service.

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

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the functional loss of use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment and/or special adaptive housing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 15, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more nearly approximate a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left knee disabilities did not have onset in service or are not related to his active military service, including his service-connected bilateral pes planus and residual cold injury to the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation based on her education and work experience prior to August 13, 2009.