Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is granted, but the condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with mild small disc protrusion is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition is service-connected. A new VA examination is needed to determine if a current diagnosed condition exists and if it had its onset in service or is directly linked to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection for a left knee disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and skin cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disabilities, sleep apnea, and other conditions.,The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU rating based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the dates of active duty and National Guard service need to be clarified before further adjudication can occur. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected post-discectomy and fusion of the lumbosacral spine prior to June 20, 1997. The issue remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, which may be related to his service-connected right knee disability or back and left leg radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated, but the Board has found that remand is necessary for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, including for low back disability, OSA, erosive esophagitis, gastroenteritis, colitis with colon polyps, and an eating disorder secondary to MDD. The appeals for asthma are remanded.

The appeal to reopen service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied. Service connection for hypertension, headaches, and depression were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions.,The Veteran was denied service connection for his lower back condition in November 2006 and left hip and right hip conditions in November 2011. The current decision remands these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease, and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability that meets VA criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a prostate disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. Appeals for other conditions were denied as untimely.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's neurogenic bowel condition is currently rated with his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board has found that the Veteran clearly has bladder impairment, which may be a neurological manifestation of his lumbar spine disability. Therefore, this issue is remanded for further evaluation.