Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service-connected.,Hypertension was not shown to be related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

The case is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations as per a recent Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims decision.

The appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the July 2017 Board decision to comply with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination and its results.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder is granted, and the claim is reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence associated with cervical spine surgery in November 2011, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle, left knee, and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings and service connection are not fully addressed due to a lack of VA examinations, particularly regarding his skin conditions, foot disabilities, back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The Board is remanding these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of L1 fracture with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating as there were no findings of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, with no further increase in rating possible.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability has been reopened, but the effective date remains August 13, 2014.,An earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied as no evidence prior to August 13, 2014 indicates an intent to pursue this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations on several of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, lumbosacral spine; left knee tendonitis; right knee tendonitis; left ankle strain; and right ankle strain. The appeal regarding unspecified depressive disorder was granted.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as he withdrew his appeals in May 2016. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 26, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes, but denied service connection for his right knee condition. The low back condition is related to service, while there is no evidence linking the right knee condition to service.

The Veteran's right-shoulder disorder is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.,Service connection for low-back disorder was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The issues of rating left and right hip conditions, and TDIU are remanded.

The claim of service connection for gout is reopened, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a lower back condition is denied as there is no current disability and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service and absence of medical evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for knot on groin (claimed as lymph node condition and possible hernia) is denied as there is no current disability and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for chronic laryngitis is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination. The spine disability claim is related to in-service events, while the left leg and ankle disabilities are linked to a casting incident during service.

The Veteran's use of his back brace for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is causing wear and tear on his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2015.