Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that October 5, 2007 is the correct date. The issues on appeal regarding right shoulder condition and initial rating for lumbar spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and an etiology opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, polycythemia, residuals of frostbite of upper and lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The reasons were that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos in service, and the current conditions did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after a July 2015 supplemental statement of the case. The issues include service connection for low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, left ankle disability, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The initial ratings have been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right foot, and left shoulder disabilities. The gastrointestinal disability was not found to be incurred in or due to his active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not start in service and is not related to his military service, including a helicopter fall during ACDUTRA service in June 1990. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue of service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is directly related to his in-service motor vehicle accident, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially residuals of lumbar strain, left and right knee chondromalacia, left and right ankle strains, and left and right foot plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board granted a 20% rating for the lumbar spine disability effective from March 10, 2011. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are also rated separately at 10% each.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh contusion, left foot disorder, right wrist disorder, throat disorder (claimed as reflux), and low back strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and right hip disabilities based on reopening of previously denied claims due to new evidence. The effective date is not specified as it was reopened.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, as well as clarifying medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the requests for higher ratings for PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative enthesitis of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and updating the claims file with any relevant medical records.