Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has vacated its August 23, 2017 decision and granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The new evidence received includes an undated private medical opinion linking the current DDD of the lumbar spine to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and back disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.,The Board also found that any current back or knee disabilities were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to his lumbar spine disability), and right lower extremity vascular condition have been granted. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of hearing loss but does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis was denied, as there is no evidence of a current sinusitis disability.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness and a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to May 8, 2014. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as a review of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and PTSD have been granted service connection, and he is now eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee degenerative arthritis, and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issues of rating higher than 20 percent for service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD and anxiety disorder), service connection for a muscle condition, service connection for sleep apnea, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back pain with lumbar degenerative joint disease and degenerative disk disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (lumbar and thoracic degenerative disc disease) preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a supplemental opinion on the low back disability. A right inguinal hernia rating will also be determined.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are found to be related to a period of INACDUTRA during service, resulting in service connection.,Major depressive disorder is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, leading to service connection for this condition.,Left leg numbness (sciatica) is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, resulting in service connection.

The Board has received a withdrawal request from the appellant for all issues on appeal, including whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, eye condition (diminished eyesight), arthritis of the bilateral hips, and an increased evaluation of callosities formation and post-operative degenerative osteoarthritis of the left foot.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record and proper consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to obtain private treatment records.