Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran's back condition and related leg pain are service-connected.

The Board remanded all issues on appeal to obtain complete service treatment records and schedule medical examinations.

The veteran's PTSD and major depression have been rated at 100% from July 14, 2022. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate starting August 17, 2022.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and various disabilities. The decision was based on the need to correct errors in the original decision and to retrieve missing service records.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for several conditions were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective from February 8, 2017. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent prior to February 8, 2017 was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to July 31, 2008, finding that there was no plausible evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include service connection for a right wrist disability, ratings for various disabilities, and evaluations of mental health conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disc disease was granted. Effective dates earlier than January 10, 2012, for RIGHT knee osteoarthritis and residuals of a RIGHT first toe distal phalanx fracture were denied. An effective date of July 7, 2009, for urticaria (hives) was granted. Issues related to service connection for a cervical spine disorder and initial ratings for several conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's back disability, finding that it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.

The veteran is granted a 40% disability rating for their lumbar spine condition before September 29, 2022. The request for a higher rating after that date and for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are denied and remanded respectively.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is remanded. The VA needs to provide adequate medical opinions on whether the Veteran's service-connected pes planus caused or aggravated his lumbar spine disability.

The appeal for service connection of a low back disability was dismissed because the veteran passed away.

The appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain is remanded because the VA did not obtain an adequate medical opinion. The Board directed the AOJ to get missing service treatment records and obtain a new medical opinion.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed. The claims for higher ratings for several conditions were remanded. An effective date of September 5, 2019, for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine condition, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and respiratory conditions. The Board found that the VA failed to obtain relevant private medical records and adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding no causal relationship to military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. All other claims were dismissed or denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for left knee strain, lumbosacral thoracic strain, and right shoulder impingement syndrome.