Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the claims file, and the Veteran requested AOJ consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including associated right lower extremity sciatica, is found to have originated during service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for the Veteran's back disability and hepatitis, and because private medical records need to be obtained.

The Board found no current joint and bone disability, denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed joint and bone disorder. The Board also denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and gastrointestinal disorder. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities and lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to consider all evidence, including a recent VA examination report. The TDIU claim is also deferred until these issues can be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as he did not serve during a period of war, and the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, a left brow scar, and lumbar strain with spondylosis and associated bilateral radiculopathy have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to separate ratings of at least 10 percent each for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective from January 17, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability and found that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between his current condition and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA spine examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty and reserve service, obtain relevant medical records, and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations. The appeal will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if she currently has a back disability and whether it is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his lower back disability. The claim for a bilateral lower extremity disorder is also inextricably intertwined with the lower back disability claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, DJD of the left knee, DJD of the right hip, DJD of the left hip, and DDD of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected wound of the right foot/muscle group X.,The Board has granted service connection for these disabilities based on evidence in relative equipoise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral knee condition and therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, left and right foot conditions, low back condition, high cholesterol, bronchitis, sleep disorder, bilateral eye condition, arthritis, and sinus condition. The primary reasons are lack of in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of chronicity after discharge for other conditions, and insufficient herbicide exposure documentation.