Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia, narcolepsy, multiple sclerosis, constipation, thoracolumbar myofascial trigger points, GERD, and blurred vision and diplopia were dismissed. The appeal for hypertension was readjudicated based on new evidence.

The Board granted the reopening of claims for service connection for left knee condition, chronic back pain from sacroiliac joint (claimed as back condition), status post total knee replacement, right knee, and left hand writer's dystonia (also claimed as tremors) based on new and relevant evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.

The Board remands all claims for service connection for various conditions secondary to hemochromatosis due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, earlier effective dates, TDIU on an extraschedular basis, and SMC at the housebound rate due to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, cervical spine disorder, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative changes from September 28, 2012, to May 25, 2022, and the claim for a higher rating starting on May 26, 2022, was denied. Additionally, TDIU was granted from March 20, 2013.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain (back disability) as there was no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, intervertebral disc syndrome with associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board granted service connection for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, bilateral knee strain and left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hip trochanteric pain syndrome, bilateral elbow strain, bilateral foot degenerative arthritis, bilateral shoulder strain, and bilateral hand strain. OSA was denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine intervertebral osteochondrosis, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board remands the claim for an opinion as to the ameliorative effects of the Veteran's medication for his service-connected lumbar disability during the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a right thigh disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain; lumbar radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, sciatic nerve; and migraines.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) prior to the Board's decision.

The Board remands the claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain outstanding treatment records from non-VA providers.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle injury and residuals, right knee strain (claimed as right knee injury and residuals), and herniated discs (claimed as low back injury and residuals) due to the lack of evidence supporting a current disability or a link to service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the untimely filing of a notice of disagreement and the lack of an eligible rating decision for tuberculosis. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, dorsalgia, and degenerative arthritis alone have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 2, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those of the hands, fingers, knees, hips, and thoracolumbar spine, to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, remanding some issues for further development.