Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examinations to address the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and examination, including for a back disability, psychiatric disability as secondary to a back disability, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right eye disorder, back disability and heart disorder. However, further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service treatment records from the Veteran's period of active duty. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service, including an in-service spinal tap procedure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and residuals of frostbite, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining medical opinions regarding etiology and functional impact.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the July 1995 RO decision denying service connection for a back disability, and has granted service connection effective February 1, 1995.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a lumbar spine disorder and granted reopening of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder. The Veteran's depression was found to be at least as likely as not due to his service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted, as it was incurred in active service.,Service connection is also granted for right C-7 radiculopathy, which is secondary to his now service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claim for atrophy of the right testicle is denied as there is no current disability. For cervical and lumbar spine strain, additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding records. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for right shoulder disability and has determined that new evidence received since the January 1993 rating decision supports a finding of service connection.,Service connection is also granted for right shoulder injury residuals, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is found to be service-connected. The COPD, low back disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders are not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is manifested by functional loss and pain most nearly approximating forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, warranting a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board found the evidence in equipoise, granting service connection for the Veteran's back condition as it was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining his missing service medical records and personnel records. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for each of his claimed disabilities.