Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeal of the proposed decrease in evaluations for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to procedural errors.

The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings and denied a compensable rating for right shoulder scars, while remanding several other issues including service connection for a right hand disorder.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied because the appeal was not timely filed.

The appeal was dismissed for tinnitus, and service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, a low back condition, an upper back condition, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral foot conditions.

The Board remands the case to schedule a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current lower back disability related to his service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability, but granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis from April 4, 2017 to July 13, 2020.

The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and its impact on employability, as well as an assessment of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or the loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated conditions, as well as entitlement to TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities were contributory causes of his death.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right knee condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition with right side leg pain, left knee condition, hypertension, headaches, respiratory condition, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left wrist condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, dry mouth, and a skin condition. Several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disorder and right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tendinosis based on the evidence showing a relationship to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 28, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, low back disability, and a disability rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 26, 2016. However, it granted service connection for a right foot disability secondary to PTSD, as well as higher ratings of 70 percent and 100 percent for PTSD effective April 28, 2017 and February 4, 2021 respectively, and special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status as of August 3, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, as an adequate medical opinion has not been obtained.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lower back condition was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and tinnitus as they require further development in the form of VA examinations.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, effective December 1, 2024.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back condition to correct an error by the AOJ in satisfying a regulatory duty prior to the decision on appeal.