Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 3, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU and was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since, at least July 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a back disability due to new evidence and inconsistencies in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 40 percent from November 4, 2021. The case is remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of sternal fracture but remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are each rated at 20 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left shoulder, right shoulder (prior to June 13, 2017), thoracolumbar spine, and left Achilles tendonitis disabilities are denied. The right shoulder disability from June 13, 2017 onwards is not granted as the rating criteria do not meet the required standards for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis, and left foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral feet disabilities due to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since March 16, 2019.

The Veteran's initial ratings for a back disability and right knee limitation of flexion are denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings based on the current range of motion findings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of July 16, 2012, but not earlier, for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for increased ratings of his left and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran does not have a service-connected condition that requires a presumption-based rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right shoulder, left shoulder, and neck conditions due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of low back disability, right leg disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's IBS with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and migraine disorders. The claims will be reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back condition due to incomplete records and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service injury. The Veteran is also asked to provide his complete Navy Reserve service personnel and treatment records, including from when he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Grand Canyon in 1980.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, as secondary to lumbosacral strain, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.