Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection for anxiety disorder is granted, and he receives a higher rating of 70 percent. Effective May 16, 2018, the Veteran also received earlier effective dates for his service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability and has remanded issues related to service connection for low back, left hip, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disorder and remanded all issues related to bilateral hip, right knee, and skin disorders. The Veteran's claims are pending further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from October 14, 2015. He also received increased ratings for his sciatic and femoral radiculopathies of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right leg have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in a June 2020 Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder and right shoulder disability, but has remanded his claim for left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20% prior to September 1, 2020 and 40% thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and earlier effective dates for increased ratings of radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim effective June 10, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and to obtain updated treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's lower back degenerative disc disease is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was caused by an in-service combat injury and whether the condition has continued since service.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and the TTR for his cervical spine condition has expired.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the claims for service connection of left knee, right knee, and back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The claim for left knee disorder is reopened, but further evidence is needed to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, but his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine resulted in a decreased range of motion but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The disability was rated at 10 percent from September 20, 2007 to January 2, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's lower back condition is being reviewed for service connection.