Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20 percent to 60 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis was granted effective March 30, 2009, to March 29, 2010.

The Board remands the claim for a new examination to address the relevant rating criteria and the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from September 21, 2023, but denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance, and SMC due to loss of use of a creative organ prior to March 6, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability, left knee strain, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a strain of the left 5th digit, left ankle strain, lumbosacral strain, headaches, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities, bilateral foot hammer toe, migraine headaches, sinusitis, left shoulder bursitis, and PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical strain based on the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and headaches to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to request a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board remands the claims for further development of evidence, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ear hearing loss, and left eye disability. However, service connection was granted for a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, as well as increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and somatic symptom disorder, both linked to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, an acquired psychiatric disability, and tinnitus based on evidence supporting the onset of symptoms during service and their persistence since.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hammer toe, a lumbar spine disability, a pelvic disability, and a right hip disability as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and increased the rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted, and a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD beginning November 11, 2020, was also granted.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, effective May 17, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD as secondary to panic disorder and sleep apnea, and migraine headaches as secondary to panic disorder and erectile dysfunction. The effective date for asthma was denied earlier than November 28, 2016.