Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist. The VA will re-evaluate the claim with proper medical opinions.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran's service connection for headache disability is granted. An earlier effective date of September 28, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine IVDS is also granted. All other issues are denied.

The appeal for service connection of a low back condition is remanded. The Board needs more information to decide if the condition is related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability because no new and relevant evidence was received.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied, but the claim for plantar fasciitis was remanded for further review.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may have aggravated his sleep apnea, and his back pain during service may be related to his current lumbar spine issues.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) from March 25, 2016, but the claim for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) is remanded.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain missing VA treatment records and translate submitted evidence.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was granted. The decision is based on the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to functional limitations from service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left wrist tendinitis and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as service connection for PTSD and shin pain, were denied. Claims for service connection for other conditions were remanded.

The appeal is remanded to obtain complete federal records needed to adjudicate the claim. The Board needs more information about when the misconduct occurred to determine if the veteran's periods of service can be separated for VA benefit purposes.

The Board granted some issues, denied others, and remanded several for further development. The veteran's ratings for onychomycosis and GERD were restored to 30 percent. Effective dates for service connection for right shoulder surgical scars and lumbar spine surgical scar were granted. Several other issues were denied or dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability and the motion to revise or reverse an August 1987 rating decision denying entitlement to service connection for back disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a left finger disability with scarring was denied. The claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, back disability, and disabilities of the knees and ankles were remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for adjustment disorder and lumbar spine disability was denied. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for right hip limitation of flexion starting December 3, 2021, and the reduction in the left hip limitation of flexion rating was reversed.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied the appeals for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, right anterior shoulder scar. The other issues were remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability and denied all other issues.

The Board remanded the claim for an audit to ensure the veteran received the correct amount of back pay for an increased evaluation of service-connected lumbar spine conditions.