Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The veteran's service connection claims for neck and low back disabilities were granted.

The Board remanded the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and bulging discs. The Veteran's pain and functional loss during flare-ups need further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a low back disorder, finding insufficient evidence to support the claims.

The veteran was granted a 20% rating for back disability from February 16, 2012 to January 14, 2020 and a 40% rating beginning January 15, 2020. The veteran was also granted a 20% rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to January 15, 2020. The veteran was granted TDIU prior to January 15, 2020 and SMC(l) beginning September 28, 2018.

The Board remanded all issues to correct an error in providing the veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU due to missing records and intertwined issues.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Other claims, including gastrointestinal disability, headaches, lower back disability, sciatica, and TDIU, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded all claims for higher initial ratings due to administrative errors and the need to obtain additional medical evidence.

The appeal for service connection of a lower back condition is remanded. The Board will consider new evidence and schedule an examination.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee tendonitis. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board dismissed all issues because the veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement within one year of notification of the January 2007 rating decision.

The Board remanded all issues to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for strain in the lumbosacral spine was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The veteran was granted a 60% rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity but denied higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine scar, and right-hand scar. The issue of a higher rating for cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was remanded.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and VA's failure to assist the veteran.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve was denied. All other issues were remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, was dismissed due to procedural defects.

The appeal for service connection of a low back disability and radiculopathy in the right lower extremity has been remanded. The Board needs more medical records to make a decision.

Service connection for disabilities of the bilateral knees, shins, ankles, and feet was denied. Service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several conditions but granted an earlier effective date for left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. Some issues were remanded for further consideration.