Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations caused by his orthopedic conditions.

The claim for service connection for low back pain has been reopened, and the Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is granted. The psychiatric disability claims are remanded due to conflicting findings in previous evaluations.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent effective December 2, 2016, for a lumbosacral spine disability was improper and a 20 percent rating is restored effective December 2, 2016. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for her service-connected residuals of a fracture of the coccyx is also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain, left and right weak quadriceps muscles, and residuals of a right femur fracture disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of initial ratings for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including flare-ups.

The appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right hip, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a parachute jump incident in 1963. The VA will need to schedule new examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral femoral nerves and peripheral neuropathy of the left sciatic nerve have been rated based on their severity, with moderate symptoms for both conditions.,The service-connected surgical scar associated with degenerative disc disease with lumbar stenosis has not been assigned a compensable evaluation.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except hypertension is remanded. The Board will consider the claim of service connection for hypertension, which may be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee replacement and related radiculopathy conditions have been granted service connection, with a separate evaluation for instability. The claim for an increased rating for the total knee replacement has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue involving a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision, which is distinct from the main issue regarding the effective date for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection. The remaining issues of radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as right shoulder strain and right knee arthritis with chondromalacia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to January 5, 2009, and from October 1, 2009, to October 6, 2013.,TDIU was denied from January 5, to September 30, 2009, and as of October 7, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, low back arthritis, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hypertension have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as cervical spine DDD with IVDS, have been granted increased ratings. The specific conditions include right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.