Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his in-service back pain and symptoms.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.

The Board remands the issues for further review by the AOJ, as additional evidence has been received since the last SSOC and the Veteran requested a remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, from October 1, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding that the presumption of soundness at entry into service was not rebutted and that the Veteran's back injury during military service led to his current condition.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) for the period prior to September 17, 2013, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for the same condition from September 17, 2013, as additional medical evidence is needed.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for a low back disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and lumbosacral strain, but denied service connection for various other back, neck, shoulder, knee, wrist, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, metatarsalgia, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain. The claims for service connection were remanded due to missing records.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a back disability, as the April 2024 decision was issued for backfill purposes only and did not constitute an adjudicative determination from which a Notice of Disagreement could be filed.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, and for compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, eczema, left and right lower extremity nerve disabilities, and scars of the head, face, or neck.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal of the propriety of the proposed disability evaluation reduction for a lumbar spine disability is dismissed due to it being a mere proposal, not a final determination.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 31, 2020 for a TDIU but denied earlier effective dates for the service connection of lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lower back and left leg conditions, as an examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain based on the evidence showing pain and muscle spasms, which are accounted for by the current 10 percent rating.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder as further development is needed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including missing Reserve records and outstanding SSA records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and radiculopathy, right lower extremity, to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of any current back disorder and associated radiculopathy.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 25, 2024, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 25, 2024, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease.