Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and respiratory disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of direct service connection or secondary service connection.,VA examiners consistently found no link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for a low back disability, as the VA examiner's opinion is insufficient and further examination or development may be necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a separately diagnosed claustrophobia disability and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appendectomy and oomphaticectomy residuals are not service-connected, as the current scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The lung disorder to include bronchial asthma and COPD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence during service or within one year post-service. The back disorder is also not service-connected as arthritis was not manifest in service. The ventral hernia, GERD, and heart condition are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 5, 2017. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from February 6, 2002. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be service-connected. The peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder was denied in November 2004, and the decision is final as no timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed within one year of the notification letter.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service injury during basic training. The examiner should consider the extent to which the in-service injury led to subsequent pathologies.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is manifested by decreased range of motion and pain, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent under the applicable rating criteria. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. This includes obtaining VA medical opinions to assess the etiology of the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders, as well as a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for liver disease and low back disorder, but granted a rating in excess of 70 percent for the psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability that he claims is secondary to his service-connected residuals of cerebral concussion. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification on whether post-service falls or accidents aggravated his degenerative arthritis of the spine, thoracolumbar.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the search for service treatment records.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing service connection on a secondary basis. The Veteran's low back disability may be related to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; coronary artery disease (CAD); vitiligo; thoracolumbar spine condition; right knee condition; left knee condition; right hip condition; and bilateral hand condition. The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and for further review of the claim of entitlement to TDIU.