Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for chronic laryngitis but denied an initial compensable rating for injury to the pharynx. The Board also remanded several service connection claims and a TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including left knee, right knee, lower back, upper back/neck, right shoulder, and bilateral foot conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 7, 2021, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment during that period.

The Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, effective July 31, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including the side effects of medication taken to treat his back disability, precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for thoracolumbar strain due to a lack of clear medical reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's lay statements and continuity of symptoms.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including verification of the Veteran's address and obtaining VA personnel records.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an increased disability rating and a TDIU for further development, as the RO did not issue an SSOC on the increased rating claim.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as back condition) for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. � 1114(l) and (o) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for a back condition, left foot disability, right foot disability, and right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 60 percent from October 18, 2016, and TDIU and SMC were granted from November 21, 2021.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, except for a separate 20 percent rating granted for the period from July 12, 2018 through November 7, 2018.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and, if so, whether he has required bed rest prescribed by a physician during any 12-month period.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and a 30 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity effective February 25, 2019.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and other benefits, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional compensation.

The Board denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, allergic or non-allergic and urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) as there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and left shoulder degenerative arthritis to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity on a secondary basis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity on a secondary basis.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back, neck, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee conditions as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or caused by any service-connected disability.