Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected right shoulder and lumbosacral strain disabilities require additional development due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and shoulder disorders due to incomplete or conclusory opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability is denied, and the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to February 15, 2012 for service connection of lumbar strain with IVDS and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to lack of evidence submitted during the relevant time period.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the thoracolumbar spine disability prior to August 1, 2010 is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment for the period from June 10, 2015 through March 21, 2018. As his combined evaluation during this period was at least 90 percent, which is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's TBI and low back disorder are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and conduct a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected DDD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service records. The claims will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current back disability and military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and coccyx (tailbone) claimed as broken tailbone, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or aggravation by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims of service connection for a back disorder was granted. The claims for residuals of a skull fracture, memory loss due to head trauma, and sleep disorder were denied as the evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 2, 2009. Therefore, the effective date for his TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 20, 2009 and denied a higher rating. From May 20, 2009 to February 8, 2016, the Veteran's disability was rated at 20 percent and also denied a higher rating. Beginning February 9, 2016, the Veteran's disability was rated at 40 percent and again denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, back disability, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The dental claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in previous decisions, particularly regarding the etiology of his back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for back, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, right wrist, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was insufficient evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.