Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, left hip replacement, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's heart condition was not shown to be related to his active service or within a presumptive period due to lack of evidence of chronicity in service. Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's left hip and back disabilities as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) are remanded.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination findings, inextricably intertwined issues, and need for further development of medical evidence.,The Board is also remanding the claim for TDIU as it is derivative of other claims currently before the Board.,All relevant treatment records must be obtained, including private records not already obtained.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the Veteran's in-service lumbar strain was not shown to be related to her current back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a right hip disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and glaucoma, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also denied for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, specifically lifting artillery shells.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the thoracolumbar spine disability, and scheduling another psychiatric examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for gout, right hip replacement, lumbar spine disorder, and left leg below knee amputation due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for depression and service connection for lumbar spine disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disability and hypertension, as well as their relationship to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, leaving no unresolved questions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disability and his service, as well as the relationship between any current left eye disability and his in-service injury. The appellant will need to undergo additional examinations to determine these relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, knee, hip, and radiculopathy conditions, are so severe that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service. The right knee disability case is remanded due to incomplete VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and ankle disorders, as well as a jaw disorder. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to military service.