Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability from July 17, 2009, to September 9, 2022, and remanded the claims on appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder alone rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and she is entitled to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes on and from December 19, 2015. Additionally, the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound criteria for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for neck and low back disabilities due to insufficient information in previous examinations.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee condition, and service connection for back, left shoulder, left knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and low back disabilities to obtain additional medical evidence, as the previous decision did not adequately consider the Veteran's in-service accident and post-service statements regarding functional impairment.

The Board remands the claims for lumbar spine disability, prolapse of rectum, and hemorrhoids for additional development before a decision can be made.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation due to a need for aid and attendance, as additional development is needed.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for additional development consistent with the terms of a Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability from August 15, 2017.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability and granted initial 20 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of both the sciatic and femoral nerves.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and low back disability, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent from July 19, 2013 to December 6, 2021 and a total disability rating of 100 percent from December 7, 2021. The degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU, special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits. The right knee osteoarthritis issue was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right femoral osteomyelitis, a right hip disability, a right knee disability, and a lumbar spine disability as the Veteran's additional disabilities were not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or some other instance of fault on the part of VA, or because of an event that was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, heart disease, and colon cancer as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board granted entitlement to a total evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities from January 1, 2009, to February 5, 2017.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome which was granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain, degenerative arthritis and disc disease with spondylosis, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left knee instability and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the claim for entitlement to TDIU.