Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, along with other disabilities, have prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantial and gainful employment, warranting an award of extraschedular TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective February 17, 2022.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for GERD, hepatitis, nausea, a stomach disability, strep throat, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and his hemorrhoids are not compensable. Other claims for increased ratings for the hips, back, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to provide VA examinations and obtain etiological opinions.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for tension headache and remanded the claims for service connection for unspecified abdominal pain, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disorder, left leg paralysis of the sciatic nerve (secondary to a service-connected condition), left foot plantar fasciitis (secondary to a service-connected condition), and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain based on aggravation during service and for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to its onset in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for costochondritis which was granted.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his active service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee and back conditions, finding that the proper effective date is May 20, 2021.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for left knee surgical scars and remanded the claim for a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sore ribs, mild degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the right hand, and a left hip disability to obtain adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected sinusitis for the entire appellate period prior to April 5, 2021, and denied an increased rating for the lumbar spine disorder. The other claims were remanded.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination to provide an adequate assessment of the Veteran's lower back disability, as required by the Court's decision.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the current disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and annual tear to obtain a more accurate assessment of the Veteran's disability without considering the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine disability, granted a 10 percent rating from May 25, 2022 to May 25, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 25, 2023. The Board also remanded claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of one hand resulting from service-connected disabilities.