Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date, finding that the evidence did not support such ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy as a pre-decisional duty to assist error warrants further development.

The appeal for service connection for a back disability is dismissed as the claim was already granted by the RO in November 2022.

The Board denied increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded claims for higher ratings of the knee arthroplasties, hip bursitis, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were consistent with known facts and circumstances of service.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, denied an initial compensable rating for throat cancer, and granted service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, lower back disability, migraines, and sleep apnea. The appeal for vertigo was dismissed.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) from November 30, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and denied service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The remaining issues of service connection for right arm radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, left foot neuropathy, and lumbosacral strain were dismissed due to untimely appeals.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, all related to the Veteran's service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and ensure proper development of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities, which include posttraumatic stress disorder and various musculoskeletal conditions.

The appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain with scoliosis has been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy based on the evidence showing that these conditions began during active service and have been continuous since separation from service.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and denied a higher initial rating for right wrist surgery residual pain. The back disability claim was remanded for further examination.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain and a 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, both effective from December 23, 2019. An increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 19, 2018.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, and right ankle condition. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were remanded.