Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a below-knee amputation of the right leg due to VA treatment directing the cessation of Plavix was denied as there is no evidence that discontinuance of Plavix caused the amputation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, hypothyroidism, and a stomach condition (GERD), all potentially related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic upper/lower back condition has been reopened, but the Board remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his thoracolumbar spine disability. The left knee disability rating is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a psychiatric disorder, both secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to new and material evidence, but the appeal is still pending as a remand has been ordered.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance was remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the denial. The Board found that the Veteran’s back brace causes wear on his clothing, but there is no evidence of damage from mupirocin used for alopecia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete examinations, lack of updated treatment records, and other procedural issues. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right shoulder and hip disabilities as well as the severity of his service-connected residuals of a coccyx fracture.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, bilateral leg tingling, and increased rating for left knee scar have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for back disability and TDIU due to worsening symptoms since the last examination. A new VA examination is needed, and the Veteran's prison medical records are requested.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is secondary to his service-connected back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for a liver disability, low back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for lower back disability due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and found no continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease was attributed to natural causes rather than his military service.,For the right hand little finger disability, the Board denied an initial rating higher than 0 percent as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty. The case was remanded for further examination and evaluation regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeals for asthma, internal hemorrhoids, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine condition, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability have been dismissed. The case is remanded for further examination on the issue of service connection for a cervical spine condition.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, anxiety, and a respiratory disability (lungs). An earlier effective date for service connection for anxiety is denied. A TDIU rating is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, which are found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported altered gait due to his right ankle injury.