Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including as secondary to service-connected right knee meniscectomy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of propriety of reduction of disability ratings and entitlement to increased ratings, as well as a TDIU claim prior to July 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical examinations and/or opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for hepatitis C, bilateral knee disability, and back disability were granted. The claim for hypertension was denied.

The Board has remanded the claim due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand instructions, specifically regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on work capacity prior to March 13, 2009. The Veteran's TDIU claim is now remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his back disability was denied. From July 17, 2014 to April 2, 2021, a 40 percent rating for the back disability was granted. After that period, a 20 percent rating was assigned from April 3, 2021. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran was granted SMC at the housebound rate effective December 10, 2010 due to service-connected major depression.,SMC for loss of use of both feet was granted effective December 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.