Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck and back condition to ensure VA fulfills its duty to assist with obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board denied increased ratings for the thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 4, 2009, to July 9, 2015.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, including increased ratings for bilateral knees and lumbar spine conditions, and entitlement to TDIU based on remaining service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining a more comprehensive VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder. The other claims were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the matter for extraschedular referral of the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 14, 2019, and readjudication considering all evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic symptoms and noting that the current disability is not related to any in-service event.

The Board remands the appellant's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies and lack of credible evidence regarding the nature and circumstances of his claimed service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, lumbar spine disability, sciatica, and ED, as well as a TDIU prior to April 5, 2021, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the issues of increased ratings for various disabilities due to procedural deficiencies and the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine status post lumbar discectomy during the rating period from January 28, 2008, to September 5, 2023.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and higher ratings for lumbar strain, right knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, removal of cartilage of the right knee, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) to obtain additional evidence.

The Board remands the claims for reconsideration of the October 1991 rating decision that denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was onset during service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's right foot scar was granted a 10 percent disability rating from December 3, 2012, through December 19, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and a TDIU due to further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, verifying in-service asbestos exposure, and providing an addendum opinion regarding OSA.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, as the weight of evidence supported that it had its onset during a period of service adjudicated dishonorable for VA purposes and there was no continuity of symptomatology to the present.