Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder. The VA has not attempted to obtain relevant medical records from the Mayo Clinic and Carlisi Chiropractic Center, which may contain evidence pertinent to his claim. As such, the case must be remanded to obtain these records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, are not related to service. The preexisting spina bifida occulta was not subject to superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for current back, right shoulder, and skin disabilities. The Board has remanded the case to obtain VA treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, finding that the Veteran's current eye condition is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,For the skin condition claim, additional development is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's in-service exposure and his current skin rash.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was denied. However, she received a separate 20 percent rating for limitation of motion due to left shoulder pain from October 2, 2013, to March 10, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, as well as any pertinent SSA disability benefits records. A supplemental opinion from the social worker who conducted the April 2015 VA Social and Industrial Survey will also be obtained.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for addendum medical opinions and retrieval of Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral knees and bilateral ankles are related to his military service. The left foot disability is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of right and left shoulder bursitis, as well as the compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The remaining issues of service connection for optic neuropathy, COPD, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder and dismissed his appeal for nonservice-connected pension as moot due to the grant of higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain, left elbow strain, and right elbow strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of DDD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder traumatic arthritis, and a cervical spine condition are related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it on the merits. The claim for service connection for hiatal hernia is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service, and denied both his claim for service connection for a low back disability and his request for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ankle/foot, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for rating the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disability, as well as issues related to his cervical spine disability and TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of periods of active service prior to November 2007 and a need for additional examinations to determine if current low back, neck, and knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder. The Veteran's DJD is found to be at least as likely as not attributable to his active duty military service.