Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities required regular assistance in daily activities.

The Board denied service connection for a back/lumbar condition, neck/cervical condition, and right upper extremity ulnar nerve impairment, to include carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board finds that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on a need for supervision, protection, or instruction due to his functional limitations caused by multiple diagnosed conditions.

The Board remands the claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and thyroid conditions to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the issues of whether the character of the appellant's discharge is a bar to VA compensation benefits, and entitlement to service connection for PTSD, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to additional development needed.

The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for low back disability was denied, but a higher initial rating of 40 percent was granted from March 13, 2009.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with minimal anterior subluxation L3/L4, and for initial compensable ratings for left hip strain with limitation of extension and abduction. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as there was no new and material evidence received within one year of the October 2018 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for chronic hip, back, neck, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disorders as they were not shown to be causally or etiologically related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted an effective date of October 20, 2017, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, except for granting a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease and a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The appeal for service connection for a lower back condition, sinus condition, and tinnitus is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for migraines and vertigo as secondary to a service-connected disability, but remanded the claims for low back disability, right knee disability, upper right paraspinal disability, and rectal bleeding.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed due to a untimely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left, right shoulder, and low back disorders as new and relevant evidence has been received since the prior denials.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's back and neck conditions were caused by her service.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to February 26, 2024, due to a need for additional evidence and clarification regarding the effects of medication on the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a TDIU and dismissed the proposal to combine service connection for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee limitation of extension with residuals of right knee total arthroplasty.

The appeal for service connection for chronic low back pain was dismissed due to a timely filing issue. The appeals for degeneration of the nervous system and spine were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for psoriasis, dental and gum infections, lumbar strain, dry eye syndrome (with watery eye/epiphora), and glaucoma as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease status post partial bowel resection with secondary GERD due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.