Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need regular aid and attendance, granting special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for a left foot disability (other than callosities) and a right hip disability, as well as increased ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability prior to July 6, 2020, lumbar spine disability, right knee instability prior to October 2, 2019, and left knee instability. However, it denied increased ratings for the bilateral foot disability since July 26, 2020, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee instability since October 2, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate effective September 30, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylotic changes and degenerative disc disease, right hip trochanteric bursitis with enthesopathic changes at the pelvis and femoral trochanters, mild osteoarthritic changes of the right knee, left knee mild osteoarthritic changes, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from February 8, 2014.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the conditions during flare-ups and after repetitive use, discounting the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board denied service connection for headache, back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities as the conditions were not shown to be chronic in service or manifest within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology was not established; and there was no evidence linking the disabilities to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis but granted an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition, and the current conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis, respiratory problems, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and narcolepsy due to insufficient evidence regarding toxic exposures and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine and multiple sclerosis disabilities due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine pain, low back pain with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, and right shoulder condition to secure a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation due to not meeting the legal criteria.

The Board grants service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and right knee strain status post ACL reconstruction based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, while remanding the claims for a lumbar disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and gastrointestinal disability, as well as a compensable rating for the latter.

The Board denied the appeal for entitlement to a finding of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on a single service-connected disability, namely service-connected thoracolumbar spine or left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the appeal for further evidentiary development and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining private medical records and updated TERA opinions.