Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for low back and sinus disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a current disability or show in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for his back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy throughout the period on appeal.,An effective date of May 9, 1997, is assigned for the award of service connection for the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his low back disability and to obtain additional records from private providers. The TDIU issue has also been raised due to the Veteran's self-employment status.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability had its onset in service and granted service connection for lumbar degenerative changes and retrolisthesis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as for new records from VA facilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition and has determined that right shoulder arthritis and residuals of rotator cuff tear are related to military service. The left shoulder condition is not established as a disability due to disease or injury in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disability, bipartite left patella (left knee), and shin splints. The Board found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, as it did not manifest during service or within one year after service and is not otherwise related to his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches and granted service connection for back disability and gastrointestinal disability, finding that these conditions are related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater. The gastrointestinal disability is presumed due to service in this area.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, lumbar surgery, stomach condition, GERD, migraines, memory loss, and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, National Guard records, VA treatment records, and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to February 11, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent from February 12, 2016. The Veteran's temporomandibular joint disorder was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to February 12, 2016 and in excess of 30 percent from February 12, 2016.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and low back disability were not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge for his period from March 1960 to September 1963 was dishonorable, and thus he is not entitled to VA benefits based on this service. The remaining claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty training.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability. The Board finds there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on the claim and remands it for further development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a supplemental medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is pending.

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

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorders, shoulder disorders, hand and finger disorders, and tinnitus, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service aggravation of pre-existing conditions.