Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability prior to November 12, 2014.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lower back condition to obtain additional evidence and a new medical opinion.

The Board remands the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition, peripheral neuropathy (hands), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and respiratory issues, as well as the nonservice-connected pension benefits claim, due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases in its January 2024 decision.

The Board remands the case to obtain new VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease caused or contributed to his death.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, residual scars associated with the lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Board remands the case for further development, including an examination to address potential neurological symptoms related to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial disability rating for thoracolumbar spine disability between April 26, 2003 and October 21, 2009.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and a separate 10 percent rating from March 21, 2016 to October 20, 2024 for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbosacral spine condition. The claim for an increased rating for the right shoulder acromioclavicular separation was denied.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, low back, left and right knee, as well as left and right foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for hepatitis C and residuals of a liver transplant, but dismissed the claims for back disorder and muscle disorder as they were already service-connected. The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy to obtain missing VA treatment records, schedule a new examination, and provide opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran was granted a higher level of special monthly compensation and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for further evidentiary development and to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain from March 21, 2022 onwards due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity and impact of the Veteran's condition during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, as well as a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for headaches from October 27, 2017 and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to August 10, 2022, for lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar spine (IVDS) rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) as it was not aggravated by service. The issues of back disability, hypertension, and right ankle disability were remanded for further development.