Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for left ankle disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disorder is related to his in-service fall. An addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 30, 2015 is also granted.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, arthritis, and a back disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's DM was not incurred in service or related to his active duty. His arthritis and back condition are currently diagnosed but their relation to service is unclear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's back disability rating was restored to 40 percent effective August 7, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for the claimed lung condition, including bronchitis, is denied as not secondary to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the issues of service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, including arthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and his military service or any service-connected condition. The Board also found that the Veteran’s right knee disability did not cause or aggravate his low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of throat surgery due to lack of current disability. The claims for lumbar spine, right leg, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded as new medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of his diabetes mellitus and whether he requires regulation of activities. Additional claims for service connection are referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a back disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome are granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of an armpit rash and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.