Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea. The thoracolumbar spine disability issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder. The criteria for service connection have been met, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board will dismiss the appeal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the current severity of his hearing loss and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are service-connected, with no issues regarding exposure to herbicides or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left knee disabilities are not related to service, and his right knee disability is not shown to be present. The Veteran's claimed TBI residuals have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and to obtain all relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee was incurred in service, and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for residuals of right hip arthroplasty, shortening of the right leg, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and differentiate between symptoms attributable to his service-connected condition and any other diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and arthritis of the lumbar spine may not be presumed to have occurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a tumor of the thoracic spine and low back disability, claimed as a bulging disc and degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty, inactive duty for training, and to obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting the grant of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for increased evaluations of service-connected hearing loss, low back disorder, and right knee disorder were not substantiated by the evidence presented.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran's representative argues that the current opinion is inadequate and requests clarification on which other conditions are more likely causing his back pain.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his low back disability and for a TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability most likely contributed to his loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

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

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain did not meet the schedular criteria and there were no other disabilities that would allow him to qualify for an extraschedular TDIU.