Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back pain, major depressive disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 40 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis, but granted a 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip conditions, a higher rating for left ankle strain, and remanded claims for low back and right knee conditions.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate December 2021 VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and low back condition to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for both the lower back condition and right knee condition as there was no evidence of an onset or worsening during active service.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded other claims related to obstructive sleep apnea, bladder condition, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and denied service connection for a low back condition, right leg pain, and left leg pain. However, the Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and dissociative amnesia.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder mixed with depression was granted a 70 percent rating from July 23, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating for arthritis, thoracolumbar spine and a compensable rating for right leg length discrepancy due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for sciatica, lumbar strain, and bilateral hip disability as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected low back degenerative disc disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, neck disability, nerve damage of the neck, back, and hip, liver cirrhosis, stroke, migraines, ovarian disability, heart disability, seizure disorder, and right ear disability.

The Board remands the claim for a low back condition to correct a predecisional duty to assist error by failing to obtain an adequate medical examination and opinion.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for service-connected painful left foot scar from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective July 19, 2023, was not proper and is void ab initio.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder as the evidence does not support that it began in or is related to service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(l 1/2) rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. � 1114(p), subject to any statutory or regulatory cap.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the 20 percent evaluation of intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain, as well as service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent for service-connected conditions related to the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.