Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, circumcision scar, urinary tract condition (including residuals of gonorrhea, recurrent urinary tract infections, and BPH), degenerative disc disease, and left leg condition (including radiculopathy). The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, low back condition, hemorrhoids, sleep apnea, chronic constipation, and pseudo folliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board remands the claims for additional medical examination to address deficiencies in the current evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition as further development is needed to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left hamstring disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and various other disabilities. The claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, acquired psychiatric, systemic lupus erythematosus, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right hip, left knee, right knee, and bilateral shin splints were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a mid/lower back disability, bilateral hammer toes, bilateral plantar fasciitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and residuals of COVID-19 to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for benign micro adenoma of the pituitary and hypogonadism as secondary to it, and remanded several other conditions for further development.

The veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to untimely filing.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for extensions of time to file appeals related to several claims, including right shoulder disorder, left-hand finger disorder, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraines, a back disability, and a right knee disability due to multiple violations of VA's duty to assist.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition but denied service connection for right knee and right big toe conditions, as well as an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, right ankle tendonitis, scoliosis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, neck, and left knee disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating higher than 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine disability, and higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy to allow VA to obtain additional private medical records.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbar strain from March 8, 2024, and remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a rib fracture and entitlement to a higher rating for lumbar strain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome and retrolisthesis L2-L3, degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, right knee, lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent), left ankle, right ankle, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), tinea pedis, fallen arches, and left knee instability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition to ensure that outstanding service treatment records and private treatment records are obtained.

The Board granted service connection for low back pain, right hip pain, and left hip pain secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities based on medical evidence establishing a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cause of death due to a need for additional evidence and an adequate medical examination.