Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for achalasia, dysphagia, obstructive sleep apnea, and a back disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a hiatal hernia is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder disabilities, elbow/arm disability, wrist disabilities, knee disabilities with shin splints, low back disability, neuropathy of the lower extremities, cold weather injury residuals, sleep apnea, TBI, and vertigo. The appeals are based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease is remanded. The issue of service connection for multiple concussion residuals was incorrectly identified as being on appeal and will be addressed separately.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to a failure of the Veteran to submit the required VA Form 21-8940. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. H.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, and there were no incapacitating episodes associated with the disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and a back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left tibia and/or fibula fracture, left ankle tendonitis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation with degenerative arthritis. These conditions are all determined to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbar spine condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine, with right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records from the Detroit VA Medical Center prior to 2008. The AOJ must obtain these records and ensure they are associated with the claims folder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities must be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated as part of his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and he does not have a separate rating for these residuals. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee DJD is currently rated based on limitation of flexion only. He seeks an increased rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The other service connection claims are denied.,Service connection for atrophied testicle/loss of use of a creative organ, kidney disability, right knee disability, back disability, and right foot disability were all denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to scheduling conflicts and missing VA treatment records.

The service connection claim for lumbar spine disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no established link between the current condition and active duty service. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back and right knee conditions. The Veteran's claims for headaches and left foot skin condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis. The issues of service connection for left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left hip disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion using the but-for causation standard.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from December 14, 2011.