Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for her service-connected lumbar strain with mild left L5-S1 foraminal narrowing and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder, as they are related to herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran’s alleged exposure to herbicides in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, or at Fort Sherman, Panama.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted, but the disability is denied as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been granted. The appeal regarding the total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as withdrawn or moot. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the November 1971 rating decision has been granted, resulting in an effective date of June 18, 1971, for the grant of service connection for post-operative residual scarring associated with lung biopsy.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading the Board to grant a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and upper back disabilities, but finds that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disabilities are related to service, including his active duty for training.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbar spine stenosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the veteran's credible lay reports regarding his in-service slip and fall injury, which resulted in a back-muscle sprain. The examiner is required to address whether it is at least as likely as not that this in-service injury caused his current thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The current diagnosis is not related to an in-service injury and the preponderance of evidence does not support a relationship between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from March 11, 2016 is granted. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as well as his increased rating claims for chondromalacia of the right and left patella. The remand is due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding USPS employment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty.

Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is denied due to lack of chronic in-service symptoms and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service separation.,Service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD and presumed herbicide exposure, is granted.