Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she is entitled to TDIU from February 2, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to assess his spine, skin, and knee conditions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches, back and neck disabilities, hypertension, and abdominal disability are not service-connected as they are either not related to his military service or were pre-existing conditions exacerbated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral leg disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease connected to these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be service-connected, and the lumbar spine DDD with sciatic radiculopathy is not considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 28, 2015 and 50 percent thereafter. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent prior to February 2, 2015.,PTSD: The Veteran has occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but not occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Lumbosacral Strain: The Veteran does not have forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current back disability and thus, service connection for a back condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening her service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic sinusitis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis, which are required for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experiences.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as the current VA examination is inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective July 1999. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10% prior to September 29, 2016 and increased to 30% thereafter. The current rating of 30% is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain private treatment records and readjudicate the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his back disability and an evaluation of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and whether he has a bilateral hand disability secondary to his service-connected autonomic neuropathy.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left shoulder sprain, and right wrist sprain were evaluated. The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability began in service and is related to his military service, thus granting service connection.