Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran seeks service connection for cervical spine disability and sleep apnea. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to active or inactive duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have onset during active service and was not caused by active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The primary issue remains unresolved regarding service connection for a back disability, which may be decided on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, sinusitis and asthma in the November 2014 rating decision. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are now dismissed as there is no longer any case or controversy with respect to them.

The Veteran's right eye disability is service-connected and he has been granted a TDIU. His lumbar spine disability, associated with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, remains at a 40% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right foot disorder, specifically related to an in-service slip and fall injury. The lumbar spine disorder claim is also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders, reopening his claims based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric and psychological examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorders) and low back disability are currently on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical strain, lumbar strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's disability rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease was denied, and no extension of a temporary total disability evaluation based on need for convalescence was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes in the thoracolumbar spine are found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's lower back disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since February 25, 2009. The VA examiner found that the disorder may have been mildly disabling at the time of the examination in April 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his cervical spine and headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities preclude employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his current thoracic spine strain and lumbar degenerative arthritis were not caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and cervical spine disabilities did not onset due to an injury sustained during a period of INACDUTRA. The neurologic disability of the right leg was also found not to be caused by or permanently made worse by a service-connected disability.