Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disabilities, including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease, service connection for PTSD, a bilateral knee and foot condition, depression, asthma, food poisoning, a gunshot wound to the left leg due to the right hand as secondary to bilateral hand condition, anxiety, a bilateral arm condition, a bilateral leg condition, a bilateral hand condition, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, urinary retention, and memory loss. The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal in the matter of service connection for liver melanoma is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence and additional development.

The Board has found that there are missing components necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's appeals, including a Statement of the Case (SOC) and VA Form 9. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for elevated liver enzymes, left ankle sprain (claimed as left ankle fracture), bilateral knee pain, and low back pain. However, the RO found no chronic residual disability related to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective April 7, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from U.S.S. Forrestal and VA treatment records, as well as identifying medical opinions provided by two physicians.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that an addendum VA medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and whether her scoliosis worsened during active service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, sleep disorder, and depression have all been denied. The denial of the back disability claim is due to it not being addressed in this decision. The denial of the sleep disorder claim was based on lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The denial of the depression claim was due to the absence of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine degeneration has been rated as noncompensable prior to October 26, 2012, and 10 percent thereafter. He is also granted separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities associated with his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew her claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a miscarriage, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be considered again with extraschedular consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and left leg disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The claims of service connection and increased ratings are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, TDIU, and service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim.