Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disorder, claimed as painful motion of the low back, is granted subject to laws and regulations governing monetary awards. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and syncope are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for prostate hypertrophy, heart disorder, sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic low back strain with degenerative changes, and chronic synovitis of both ankles. The AOJ is instructed to clarify whether the Appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse and complete additional development as requested in previous remands.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow, left knee, and low back disorders.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted service connection. The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding other bilateral lower extremity disabilities and the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and pes planus.

The Veteran's right and left hip ankylosis, along with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) with spondylosis, have been granted initial ratings of 70 percent since June 21, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues include left foot, right foot, back, kidney disease, gastroesophageal and/or gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), gynecological condition, acquired psychiatric disability, anemia, sleep apnea, thyroid disorder, respiratory disorder, hypertension, bone disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan is also under review.

The Veteran's kidney condition may be related to his service, specifically exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. However, a VA examination is needed to confirm this.,The Veteran's left middle finger fracture residuals are likely not related to his service due to the lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for right-knee disorder, left-knee disorder, cervical-spine disorder, thoracic-spine disorder, and lumbar-spine disorder. The gastrointestinal disorder claim remains denied as there is no evidence supporting its service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability as secondary to service-connected knee and hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and low back condition due to deficiencies in previous VA examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder is granted. The claims for left knee, hip, leg, and ankle disorders are remanded due to lack of proper VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches. The claims for back and neck disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was insufficient evidence to show he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, deviated septum, diverticulosis, and respiratory/breathing disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to delays in scheduling VA examinations and failure to report to scheduled appointments. The appeals are related, so TDIU is also being deferred.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity, as the previous one was inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow and low back conditions, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, and skin condition of the left foot due to the death of the appellant during the appeal process.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than migraine headaches is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the left shoulder disability and cold injuries to bilateral lower extremities are denied.