Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal because the RO had already granted service connection for residuals of a back injury, which resolved the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and left foot disabilities are granted as service connected, with the benefit of doubt favoring the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine DDD, stenosis, HNP, spondylarthritis, and radiculitis as these conditions were caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to whiplash from small boats in high waves.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected plantar callosities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to appear at his scheduled hearing and because of the withdrawal of representation. The claims will be readjudicated after scheduling an informal telephonic conference.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and he has been granted a separate rating for residuals of meniscus repair. The appeal regarding secondary service connection for hip and lower back conditions is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examinations. The issues include shin splints, left ankle disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis of both feet.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and lumbar strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to determine if it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder(s) and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's skin disability, vertigo, hepatitis, and back disability are now service-connected with effective dates set at November 3, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder was dismissed. The appeals for extraschedular evaluations for right arm tendonitis and mechanical low back pain were also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions due to incomplete examinations and lack of entrance examination prior to the Veteran's second period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disability (including sleep apnea) are related to his service-connected conditions. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression), arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative changes of the left and right ankles, and bilateral pes planus. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claims for residuals of a collapsed lung have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, back disability, bunions, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, event, or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, stress fractures in the legs and feet, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) due to outstanding evidence and additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as it is now moot.