Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (through his representative) withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and rotator cuff tear, obstructive sleep apnea, and lumbar strain with DDD and bulging discs. The claim for a right knee disability was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disorder, left knee joint disorder, left leg/ankle disorder, and left knee scar as they were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claim on appeal, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records from private doctors. A VA spine examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of all back disabilities present during the period of the current claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including scoliosis, is rated at 20 percent effective August 6, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for undiagnosed left knee, right knee, and back disorders as due to a qualifying chronic disability under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability during the hearing, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck condition, including cervical degenerative disc disease, is due to an in-service assault and trauma. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and re-adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy should be October 30, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the appellant's knee and back disorders, as well as his HIV. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, lower back disorder, and left hip disorder have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151. Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's lower back and left hip disorders as they are not related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.,The Board determined that there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current left hip and lower back disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service, within a year of discharge from service, or due to an event not reasonably foreseeable. The Board also found that the Veteran did not present any new and material evidence to reopen his claim for entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied in September 2010. No new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability needs further development and remands the case to obtain additional medical records and National Guard records. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about any private treatment he received.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are related to service, warranting service connection.