Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, while the right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to September 12, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, right knee instability, left knee instability, and right knee meniscal tear have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran's status post left clavicle fracture (left shoulder disability) has also been granted an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, left knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear, and right knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear due to new evidence added to his electronic claims file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, were not shown to be related to service. The Board denied these claims due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's total disability rating is due to VA treatment for his back disability, and he does not meet the basic eligibility criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's back disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent from February 7, 2012 to June 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to non-compliance with previous directives and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The cases of a back disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of low back strain, service connection for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back strain, nature and etiology of any diagnosed right and/or left knee disabilities, and whether any acquired psychiatric conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The low back and left brachial plexus conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to address lay observations and private treatment records. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being evaluated again for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, as there are issues related to service connection that need clarification.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain and lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is being remanded to consider the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is denied. His claim for a compensable disability rating for hypertension from August 20, 2010, is granted and he is assigned a 10% rating. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right eye disability is denied.