Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied an increased rating for the back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent prior to March 12, 2016 and 40 percent from March 12, 2016 to April 21, 2017.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent disability rating for the lumbar spine and a 30 percent rating for the cervical spine, but these ratings were not increased. The Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 17, 2021, was also granted.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from May 1, 1992, but denied an increased rating prior to that date and other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and right and left foot disabilities due to inadequate examinations that did not address the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's active service and his current low back condition.

The appeal for service connection for various conditions was dismissed as there was no decision in the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system to appeal at the time of the request.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining relevant medical records.

The appeal was partially denied, with some issues dismissed and others remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation of left ear hearing loss due to his failure to report for scheduled examinations without good cause. The low back condition issue was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, status post fusion surgery and a compensable rating for a lumbar spine surgical scar to provide the Veteran an opportunity for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left foot, right foot, left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 100 percent for depressive disorder with anxiety and a 50 percent rating for migraines, while denying increased ratings for rhinitis and sleep apnea. The appeal was dismissed for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's back strain, effective August 31, 2023, and remanded claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee strain, and right leg nerve condition.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for a low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 14, 2023 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for a right knee disability and remanded increased rating claims for left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right knee condition, but denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and lumbar disc displacement, and hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip condition, which is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The back and left knee conditions were remanded for further development.