Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by neck pain, left knee pain, right hip pain, or low back pain that had an onset in service or is otherwise related to service. As such, his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now being considered on the merits. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for a bilateral heel disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome as a result of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) was granted. The claims for increased rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease was rated appropriately at 20 percent. The issues of cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, thus denying both secondary service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence or a presumption of service connection.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his military service, including as related to his service-connected right ankle and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected DDD with lumbar strain and bilateral radiculopathy do not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service personnel records and further verification of the appellant's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee and low back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not due to injury or disease incurred in active service, or due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records related to his workers' compensation claim and private treatment records from the 2001 motor vehicle accident. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headaches, and a head injury are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain was granted, with a 40% evaluation effective from January 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his Vietnam service and has been diagnosed with PTSD based on service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee and back disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining unit records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's back, knee, and psychiatric claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and hearing loss disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but only as a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.