Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, upper back disability, lower back disability, sleep apnea, and prostate disability.,Service connection is not granted as the Veteran did not have a current disability at separation from service or within one year of separation. The Board also found no nexus between any in-service disease or injury and these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.,Claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the February 2013 VA examination. The case is now pending further development and review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no continuous or recurrent symptoms of the claimed disability during active service and after separation. The Board also found that arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation and that there is no medical evidence linking the current back disability to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability remain pending and are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and unclear information about ankylosis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his current disability level.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of records related to the appellant's pre-service back injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service and remands for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's low back condition is related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for a head injury was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for a left middle finger disability and a lumbar spine disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right sciatic radiculopathy, and femoral radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine, low back, and respiratory disabilities are granted as service-connected. The cervical spine disability is linked to in-service injury, while the respiratory condition is attributed to tobacco use.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and headaches are all remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and back disability due to new and material evidence. However, both issues are remanded as further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the lower back condition claim is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic low back injury or disease during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include back disability, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder and depression), and alcohol abuse disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that her current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and chronic headaches due to inadequate VA examinations. The new examination must provide a reasoned medical explanation connecting the current conditions to his military service.