Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine, left shoulder tendonitis, and right shoulder tendonitis were not incurred in or related to service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeal as to the issue of an increased rating for the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service, and her right ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The left hand disability is presumed based on an in-service event.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right knee disabilities have been denied. The maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent has been assigned for chronic headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, PTSD, and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of characteristic attacks or ulcers related to Raynaud's phenomenon.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as there is no current disability to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and further development is required.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 30, 2016 and remains at that level from May 30, 2016 onwards. The current rating is not higher than the minimum compensable rating.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease were rated at 10 percent prior to September 14, 2017, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability has not met the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 2, 2013 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease was rated at 40% from April 18, 2017 to August 23, 2017. Prior to this period and after it, the disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of June 28, 2007. The effective date for the TDIU is set at this point.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies and remanded her claim of a back disorder due to military service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and a low back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or that they are related to his service-connected disabilities.,For the head trauma claim, the Veteran has not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an undiagnosed gastrointestinal illness, both due to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia. The rating assigned is 10%.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and left knee disorders are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service. The VA examiners concluded that any current conditions are more likely due to post-service occupational activities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is remanded for additional development due to inadequate range of motion testing in prior examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degenerative disease with bicep tendonitis and partial subscapularis tendon tear, right shoulder glenohumeral degenerative joint disease (DJD), cervical spine DJD prior to March 2, 2017, cervical spine DJD since March 2, 2017, thoracolumbar spine DJD prior to August 1, 2014, and PTSD prior to March 1, 2017 have all been denied.,The Veteran's initial rating for thoracolumbar spine DJD since August 1, 2014 and PTSD since March 1, 2017 has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and occupational background, warranting a TDIU.