Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeals for severance of service connection and increased disability ratings were dismissed, while the appeal for a right knee condition was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including spinal arthritis of the neck and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the neck/upper back. However, tinnitus was granted, and a 20% rating was assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the right calf scar and a TDIU, but denied increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with disc bulging at L5-S1 and IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective September 1, 2024.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected low back disability, but SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board granted a TDIU from November 1, 2011 to July 7, 2022 and denied it from September 19, 2011 to October 31, 2011. The appeal for entitlement to a TDIU was dismissed from July 8, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for a bladder disability, gynecological condition, right ankle disability, and lower back disability as these conditions are not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar disorders (strain and spondylosis) and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence is nearly equal that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent from January 20, 2019, for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to August 14, 2020, due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases for its decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board granted an August 14, 2009 effective date for the assignment of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The appeal regarding the propriety of the award of attorney fees to H.B. was denied, while the issue of reasonableness of the fee award is being remanded for further review.

The Board granted a 40 percent increased disability evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, effective May 23, 2024.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disk disease with intervertebral disc syndrome from January 11, 2021, to August 16, 2021, but denied a higher rating since August 16, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip osteoarthritis, but dismissed the claim for a cervical spine disability (cervicalgia) due to an impermissible concurrent election under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left salpingectomy with residual pelvic adhesions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the untimely filing of a VA Form 10182 without good cause.