Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bursitis/hallux valgus of the left foot was denied as her condition did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The Board found that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current bunion deformities and her service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation above 10 percent for seasonal allergic rhinitis with reactive airway disease, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in active duty, hyperlipidemia is a laboratory finding, joint pain as a manifestation of a separately diagnosed disability from the service-connected left ankle arthritis and cervical and thoracolumbar spine arthritis did not have its onset during active military service, a thoracic spine disability representing a separately diagnosed disability from the service-connected thoracolumbar spine arthritis was not incurred in active duty, obstructive sleep apnea did not have its onset during active military service and is not etiologically related to, or otherwise worsened beyond its natural clinical progression by, service-connected seasonal allergic rhinitis with reactive airway disease. The claims for tuberculosis, a corneal abrasion of the right eye, and CTS of the left wrist were denied as well.

The Veteran's death was attributed to suicide due to his service-connected major depression, which contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his post-service treatment records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, which he contends was incurred during active service. The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional records and determine if new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disorders, which were previously denied in September 1998. As a result, these claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection and thus no specific decision on service connection can be made.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues regarding service connection for a back disability secondary to his knee disabilities, as well as increased ratings for his left and right knee conditions. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder, neck disorder, or TBI residuals that began in service and are related to such service.,As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for a more valid opinion regarding the Veteran's spinal conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination and did not provide good cause for his absence.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and adjudication due to a lack of medical evidence. The case is now pending again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy, is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to a combat injury. The condition was observed during service and continuity of symptomatology was demonstrated thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease and found that the Veteran's current symptoms of Crohn's disease had their onset during service and were continuous from separation from service. The Veteran's Crohn's disease is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and SSA SSI records, as well as inpatient or 'clinical' service treatment records from Ireland Army Community Hospital. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and cardiomyopathy, did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from October 3, 2007 to September 30, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 6, 2008. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.