Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination related to cold weather training and presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining missing records and making a formal finding on the availability of VA records.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to schedule VA examinations to determine the current state of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for a low back disability, including secondary to a service-connected bilateral knee disability, due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from December 3, 2014 to October 4, 2021.

The Veteran was granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left sciatic radiculopathy, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's condition and his active military service.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected back disability due to the need for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability and whether it meets the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating higher than 20 percent prior to March 19, 2021, and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to that date for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability, endometriosis, and a heart disability. The rating assigned was 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy from March 27, 2018, and 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy from July 3, 2017.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from August 23, 2013, to October 6, 2021.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), on an extra-schedular basis, prior to July 23, 2019.

The Board remands the claim for a VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability manifested in the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and addressing in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions were not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease and arthritis lumbar spine, but granted initial ratings of 20 percent for radiculopathy in the left and right lower extremities, sciatic nerve, and denied higher ratings for femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition L4-5, varicose veins of the left leg, and varicose veins of the right leg due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.