Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of sleep apnea being granted. The remaining issues were either not reopened or denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and respiratory disorder due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine (neck) disability, as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 21, 2014. The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether she was unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral arthritis of the feet, hands, and low back disability (claimed as back arthritis) due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for asbestosis and gastritis, and has remanded the remaining issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case because no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the low back condition is related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's statements about jumping from helicopters with heavy gear are considered credible for this purpose.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of definitive opinion regarding their etiology. The claims will be reconsidered after an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the need for further examination.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, liver disorder, cold injury residuals, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left elbow disorder, and back disability has been denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as it is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, right knee injury, and left knee injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and updated VA treatment records being available.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, left knee arthralgia, and right knee arthralgia as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability, back disability, bilateral foot neurological disorder, and left arm neurological disorder due to insufficient examination findings and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The claim for TDIU prior to August 10, 2013 was also denied due to the Veteran's ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The claim of service connection for the cause of death is dismissed, and the claim of DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disorder and bilateral ankle disorders due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The application to reopen the claim of recurrent low back strain was granted, but service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hallux valgus and onychomycosis were both denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar hyperkeratosis and low back disability are granted, with the temporary total evaluation for convalescence extended to December 29, 2012. The rating for bilateral plantar hyperkeratosis is maintained at 30 percent, while the rating for low back disability remains at 20 percent.