Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain with IVDS, currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for multiple service-connected disabilities to obtain an opinion on their severity from a clinician.

The appeal for a TDIU is remanded to the Undersecretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. §4.16(b).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for discogenic low back pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no evidence of symptoms worse than those contemplated by the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's back conditions, finding that they are related to his active-duty service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder as further development is needed to address the adequacy of the medical opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for scoliosis, a lumbar spine disability, headaches, nausea, and dizziness, all secondary to various conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, cervical spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, ankle and elbow disabilities, wrist disabilities, and a skin disorder, to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, a back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities (peripheral neuropathy) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The claims for service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities were denied. Other claims, such as increased ratings and effective dates, were either denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disorder to be re-evaluated with a new VA examination that addresses the Veteran's service and symptoms.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability as it was considered a duplicate appeal.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, right and left hip disabilities, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the service connection claims for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica secondary to IVDS, bilateral plantar fasciitis, a left ankle condition, a left foot condition, and hypertension due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for the 2021 calendar year for use of a bilateral knee brace, a back brace, and an elbow brace due to wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, from March 23, 2022, to present. The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

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 a lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition as further development is needed.

The Board denied the restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability, effective from November 17, 2023, as there was actual improvement in the ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board granted the Veteran's motion to revise the August 1987 rating decision that denied service connection for a back disability on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).