Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of service-connected conditions on the Veteran's employability and an evaluation of flares.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and are not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease pre-existed his second period of service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a new VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is related to his service, specifically his in-service fall from an aircraft and his job duties. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development at a correctional facility.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise the result of a disease or injury in active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 3, 2010 for his award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that the claim was not filed within one year before the effective date and did not meet the schedular numeric criteria for an award of TDIU until December 3, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease is associated with his constipation, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD. The AOJ will also issue a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits sought remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, right leg disorder, and right foot disorder were denied. The claim for service connection of the gastrointestinal disorder was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in 1981. The remaining issues remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as arthritis, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, but did not specify the exact dates or new rating levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and depressive disorder claims are granted. The left distal fibula, increased rating for the left ankle disability, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.