Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and bilateral knee arthritis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing direct service connection or any other valid theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability (other than dyshidrosis) was not incurred or aggravated during his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine was caused by his service-connected bilateral pes cavus, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including numbness in the arms and legs, finding that his current condition did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is found to be the primary cause of his chronic atypical headaches, and thus service connection for such is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection claims for various disabilities, including hearing loss and heart condition, all claimed as secondary to mercury poisoning.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's knee and back disorders are being remanded for further examination and development. The Board will consider the merits of his claims after obtaining necessary records.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left hip disabilities, awarded a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis, and found that he is entitled to TDIU prior to March 28, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective December 14, 2006. The case is remanded to determine if additional issues should be addressed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent effective June 24, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion of less than or equal to 30 degrees on this date.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after separation, and concluded that any current low back disorders are not related to service.,Service connection was granted for hepatitis B and C as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by events in service. The claim for a shoulder disability is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right sciatic nerve paralysis and other conditions, contributed substantially to his death from an intracranial hemorrhage. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA, verifying periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA), and providing additional opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and service personnel records. The Veteran's back disorder claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy disability. However, there is no current diagnosis of upper extremity radiculopathy and the right shoulder disorder is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and right ear hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to obtain an addendum opinion from the April 2016 examiner who conducted the Veteran's back examination, as well as a VA examination for his right ear hearing loss.