Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD due to the grant of service connection for depression NOS. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains on appeal and a new examination is required.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back disability (reopening of previously denied claim), and obstructive sleep apnea. The bilateral leg disability claim is remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as noncompensable since June 4, 2010. Effective November 1, 2011, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his migraine headaches.,From November 1, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent or more, qualifying him for consideration of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions that were aggravated by service. The Board also found that any change in condition during service was due to natural progression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was found to have originated in service and is granted. The low back, right leg (including the knee), right ankle, and right foot disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right leg, right knee, left leg, left knee, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a heart disability at the time of his August 2009 claim and has not had one since. For the other conditions, the evidence does not support service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of PTSD, a low back disability, bilateral eye disorders, or a hernia disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increase, and a hearing are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development and requests for additional opinions on service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his residuals of pneumonia and the current level of severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to additional development needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and any associated neurological abnormalities. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that service connection for a back disability is granted, as the evidence shows continuity of symptomatology from service to the present.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied prior to March 23, 2009. From that date forward, the claim was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of timely receipt of applications to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2013 and has been rated at 40 percent since then. The cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent.