Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the September 2008 rating decision denying service connection for a lumbar spine disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The claim is reopened, but further development on the merits is required as the Veteran seeks to establish service connection for his back disability.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck injury and lumbar spine pain, finding that there was no new and material evidence provided to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing due to an undeliverable notice of his requested hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding medical records. The claims on appeal are seeking higher disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy affecting the right lower extremity, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's current back symptoms are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes. The low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities were found to be unrelated to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence suggesting a relationship to service. The low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities were also not related to service.,Service connection cannot be established as the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and Group B streptococcus infection are not determined to be proximately due to the September 2008 colonoscopy performed at VAMC Columbia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for chronic body pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 and whether his current joint and muscle disabilities are related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent due to painful, limited motion.,The Veteran's fungal infection affecting his groin and axillae (armpits) is rated at 10 percent prior to June 9, 2009. Since then, the rating has been increased to 10 percent for areas affected by the fungus.,The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating for his fungal infection since June 9, 2009.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease resulted in forward flexion limited to at most 15 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to his in-service low back injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, osteomyelitis, and associated radiculopathy have been rated at the highest possible level throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, a dental condition, a kidney disability, a right arm disability, and a low back disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the claims for increased ratings and service connection.