Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for a low back condition to correct a pre-decisional error in obtaining an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, as well as remanded claims for service connection for a right foot condition, COPD, and skin cancer.

The Board granted effective dates of June 13, 2012 for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for back disability and a 20 percent rating for neck disability, as well as service connection for right knee instability and left knee instability.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, effective May 1, 2024, due to an improper reduction in rating without following proper procedural guidelines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's back pain had its onset in service and continued after his separation from service.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, but remanded the claims for headaches, right and left knee conditions, neck condition, and testicular condition for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability but denied it for a right hip disability. The claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were also denied.

The Board granted service connection for status post cervical discectomy and back condition of lower back pain (claimed as lumbar spine), resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a 40 percent rating from November 9, 2014, as the evidence supported a finding of limitation of flexion to no more than 30 degrees during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities from August 30, 2022.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for left hip strain, based on the functional equivalent of favorable ankylosis. The case is remanded to consider additional factors and obtain further examination.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar strain and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 15, 2019.

The appeal for an effective date prior to October 23, 2017, for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and TBI residuals; tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board is remanding the claim for a lumbar spine disability to obtain additional evidence and ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned an initial 10 percent rating for limitation of supination of the left arm, as well as an initial 10 percent rating for painful flexion of the left forearm. The claim for a compensable rating for left forearm limitation of extension was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines and other conditions, preclude her from being able to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board remands the issue of an increased disability evaluation for lumbar spine due to procedural issues and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for right ankle, right ankle scar, low back, femoral nerve, and sciatic nerve disabilities.