Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for a scheduled video conference hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of heat stroke and a neck and back disability were denied as there is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or within one year after service, and the medical evidence does not establish a link between any current disabilities and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and assistance, as well as incomplete records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's left leg sciatica is etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service as a paratrooper. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of bilateral hip, leg, ankle, and neck disorders that are more likely than not related to his military service as a paratrooper.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his unemployability and the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disease, vascular diseases, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and kidney failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bartter's Syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, and PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for Bartter's Syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder. The claim to reopen for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied because no new and material evidence had been submitted, and the claim to reopen for a back disorder was denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.,The Board also found that there is insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder (claimed as due to head injury). The VA examiner could not find any military medical records supporting the Veteran's contention of a head injury.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 5, 2005. His GERD and radiculopathy are both rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to unclear findings from an earlier examination and new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is due to her pre-existing hypermobility/hyperflexibility syndrome, which manifested after separation from active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine injury and fracture of thoracic spine T-9, finding that the evidence did not warrant ratings in excess of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current gynecological disorder related to her active military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for chronic back disorder and chronic sinusitis were denied as they are not shown to be related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's service in the Merchant Marines and a medical examination.