Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and low back disability to correct duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the March 2023 decision on appeal.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 4, 1970, for the award of service connection for a back condition.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, including service connection and rating appeals.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) solely due to service-connected persistent depressive disorder and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to an incomplete record, specifically missing treatment records from the Veteran's primary care physician.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence was in at least approximate balance regarding its etiological relationship to active service.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lower back, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Appellant.

The Board denied service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, as well as remanded the claim for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction, and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, dysphagia, and a back condition but dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left foot disability to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 11, 2020, for the awards of service-connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain. The claims for service connection for sleep disturbances and insomnia were remanded for a VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to a duty to assist error in the prior VA examination.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a lack of proper notice and scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, numbness of the left leg and arm, cervical spine disorder, GERD, ureterolithiasis, chest pains and heart palpitations, and lower back pain, as the VA examinations are inadequate.

The Board restored the 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the reduction was improper. The other issues were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left foot plantar fasciitis, respiratory condition, skin condition, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, left knee disability, left leg arthritis, right knee disability, and right leg arthritis. However, the Veteran's claim for migraine headaches was granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back and right shoulder disability as further development is needed to obtain complete service personnel and treatment records, and an examination with medical nexus opinion.

The Board found that the reductions in ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were improper and void ab initio. The 20 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are restored, effective January 6, 2023.