Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted the appeal and reinstated a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine vertebral fracture with degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, effective June 24, 2024.

The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date as no new and relevant evidence was received to reopen or readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant higher ratings and that he was capable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 25, 2017, but not since.

The Board granted increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right ankle disabilities but remanded the claims for other joint conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis to ensure that the AOJ makes reasonable attempts to obtain missing reserve treatment records and in-service hospital records.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 28, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Board remands multiple claims for higher initial ratings and other benefits due to the need for additional development, including an examination regarding atrophy in the Veteran's legs.

The Board denied increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS, left knee medial meniscectomy, right knee strain with tendonitis, and left knee instability. A separate 10 percent evaluation was granted for residuals of a left knee meniscectomy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities to obtain an adequate medical opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back disorder as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, effective February 1, 2025, as the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and total disability based on individual unemployability. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right toe removal and rating in excess of 40 percent for left hip disability were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for increased ratings for a left knee disability and lumbar strain, finding that there was no factually ascertainable worsening of these conditions within one year prior to the receipt of his intent to file.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity disorder, and left knee disorder based on the evidence supporting their direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The claim for lumbosacral strain was remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, painful surgical scars on both feet, and non-compensable ratings for left and right foot surgical scars. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various musculoskeletal conditions were remanded.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability and remanded several other issues, including service connection for neurological abnormalities associated with the back disability, as well as ratings for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities.