Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder), back disorder, and neck disorder. The Board found that additional development is needed prior to adjudication.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder was dismissed because the benefit was already granted in full by a prior decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings for his left shoulder disability, left knee limitation of flexion, PTSD prior to November 5, 2019, or back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 40 percent from January 11, 2006. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition and remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or functional unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board remanded the case to obtain more information about the severity of the veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for depressive disorder was denied. The claims for back disability and TDIU were remanded.

The appeal for service connection of a back disability has been remanded to obtain a new medical opinion on whether the back disability is caused or aggravated by a service-connected neck disability.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of back and right hand disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining new medical opinions.

Service connection for a low back disability is granted. The issue of entitlement to a temporary total disability rating is remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and left shoulder disability were dismissed. However, the veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of credible evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, severe burn injury, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 3, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic low back strain and degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeals are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS and related right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted at a 40 percent rating, effective August 6, 2012. The TDIU is also granted on and after January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,VA examinations were found to be insufficient in addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Board granted the appellant's request for direct payment of attorney fees from benefits resulting from the March 2023 grant of an increased rating and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of back disability and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities. The Board found that a previous VA examination was inadequate and ordered a new examination to address whether these conditions are related to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been granted. The Board found that the OSA was caused by his service-connected back disability.