Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected pes planus aggravated his back and knee disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for both his low back disability and gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding no link between his in-service injuries and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained and considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left leg or left ankle disabilities, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Regarding the back disorder, a VA examination was conducted but did not provide an opinion on whether it is caused by the in-service motorcycle accident or secondary to the service-connected right leg fracture residuals.

The Board denied service connection for right leg and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to failure to comply with a previous remand order.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and hallux valgus. The claim for PFB was granted as it is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is not service connected as it did not have its onset during active service and was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with sciatica (lumbar spine disability) is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity impairment.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional service treatment records and clarify the Veteran's date(s) of active military service. The claims will be readjudicated based on whether the June 1986 rating decision denying service connection for low back disability is final.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, in-patient hospitalization records from Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and any outstanding VA treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to assess the severity of his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle and left ankle conditions, finding no current diagnoses. The claim for increased rating of right knee strain was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, upper back disability, and bilateral foot collapsed arches are all at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, as there is no evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed arthritis of the lumbar spine is presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, and hemorrhoids are all service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and finds new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.