Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to her in-service injury and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected right knee condition. As such, service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand for an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's current back disorders and his service, as well as consideration of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants secondary service connection for this condition. The low back disorder is not found to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, but the claim is not decided on service connection grounds as it was not raised in the original appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The claims for initial rating and higher ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's spina bifida occulta clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, but was not aggravated by active service. The most probative evidence indicates no current low back disability is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back strain and left knee injury are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any chronic disability during service, and there is no medical opinion linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, including complaints of back pain noted during service. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a back condition, and a lung condition (claimed as double pneumonia), finding no evidence of chronic conditions related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying the nature of the Appellant's reserve service in July 1997, and providing a VA examination to determine if his current cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and sleep disorder, claimed as sleep apnea, were denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the disabilities to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and lumbosacral spine disorder, finding that the Veteran is entitled to the presumption of soundness due to her second period of active duty service. The left knee disorder and sciatic nerve disorder are not yet addressed as they require further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with spondylosis and radiculopathy is manifested by complaints of pain and functional impairment, but his forward flexion limitation does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an upper back and neck disability. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The low back disability claim requires further examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition. The skin disorder, claimed as jungle rot, will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the range of motion findings.