Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include Reiter’s syndrome, low back disability, bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to September 15, 2016 were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of lumbar spondylosis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU. The case is remanded for further development regarding his rating for back disability and scars.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board will consider both old and new rating criteria, with the more favorable one applied.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all appeals related to his claims for increased ratings and service connection. The Board has dismissed these appeals as the Veteran explicitly requested their withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and lack of relevant medical records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of in-service treatment records. The VA will obtain additional evidence and provide new examinations to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between current low back disabilities and military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals seeking earlier effective dates for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy ratings, as well as his requests for higher rating decisions. The appeal was also remanded for further development regarding a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from January 21, 2016. The left ankle and left wrist disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% prior to April 5, 2019 and denied for a higher rating. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability (secondary to lumbar spine) and neurological disorder of bilateral upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's appeal of his initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service department records were obtained after a prior denial of service connection for the Veteran's carcinoma of the appendix. The claims are remanded to reconsider the claim.

Your appeals for service connection of your right hip and lumbar spine disabilities have been dismissed as you withdrew them prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, but the issues of service connection for back disability and major depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.