Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from August 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied.,Service connection for depression has been granted with a rating of 70 percent as of January 17, 2017. The effective date for this grant is being remanded due to the need for further review.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for left heel laceration residuals was denied. The claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, lumbar myofascial strain, and respiratory conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his stress fracture was denied. The claims for service connection for low back and psychiatric disabilities were remanded.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher rating of his lower back disability and for service connection of bowel and urinary disabilities secondary to his lower back disability. The Board needs more medical evidence to decide these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 22, 2011, because her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person because of service-connected PTSD, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains were denied. However, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of August 1, 2017.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for traumatic brain injury was remanded due to missing medical records and the need for an updated examination. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was granted.

The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is remanded. The Board needs more medical evidence to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities require aid and attendance.

The veteran is granted a 20 percent disability rating for their back condition prior to April 20, 2022. The request for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective September 1, 2011.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD were granted based on new evidence. The claims for erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypertension were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were reopened due to new evidence. Service connection was granted for diabetic retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. The claim for a bilateral eye disability other than diabetic retinopathy and a heart disability other than left ventricular hypertrophy was remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 10, 2010 for the Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board vacated its previous decision and remanded the appeal for further review of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for various conditions and ratings will be re-evaluated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and special monthly compensation based on the evidence provided.

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for the veteran's back, neck, left hip, left knee, and left ear hearing loss disabilities. The decision was based on inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence.