Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder. The remaining issues have been denied as not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury and bilateral eye disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service. The claim for neck disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, hypertrophic gastritis, neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cholelithiasis, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that the Veteran's claims were previously adjudicated in a prior appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his service, including his duties as a firefighter in the Navy.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are granted for the appeal period beginning on August 10, 2022 under the PACT Act. The back disability is denied.

The Board denied readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine strain, sinusitis, right shin splints, and left shin splints due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted. The claim for IVDS is remanded due to insufficient examination.

The Board has determined that the March 2020 VA examination is inadequate and requires remand to obtain a new examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability may be associated with flare-ups, which need to be assessed for their impact on functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a back disability has been reopened, but the Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if his current back issues are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disorders due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset and causation. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as part of a larger appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand directive.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability, back disability, and rhinitis due to additional development being required. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia due to or as a consequence of renal failure. The service-connected conditions, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease, and hypertension, substantially contributed to the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the failure to notify him of his rescheduled VA examination. The matter must be returned for another examination and proper notification.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of anxiety disorder with adjustment issues, aggression (acquired psychiatric disorder), left ear hearing loss, and right eye injury. The appeal for service connection of a back disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, including whether it is related to service and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 14, 2013 was denied as she had maintained gainful employment during this period despite her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lower back condition, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between his in-service injuries and his current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which is currently considered a direct service connection issue without any presumption or new material evidence.

The Board has decided that the evaluation for the service-connected herniated disc L5-S1, claimed as low back, needs to be reconsidered due to new evidence submitted since the April 2020 Statement of the Case.