Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a low back disability as it has been fully granted.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 8, 2017, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and spinal stenosis due to an insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's flare-ups during the appeal period.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination and to obtain outstanding treatment records, as there is an apparent internal inconsistency in the May 2024 VA examination and indications of worsening since that examination.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back condition, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine surgical scar, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's low back disability, left ankle disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a TDIU.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability but granted service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability (pain with functional loss), OSA, and essential tremors.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders due to traumatic experiences during active service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for tinea pedis (Athletes Foot), lumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a left foot condition and a right foot condition, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative disc of the lumbar spine to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding its potential nexus to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and a kidney condition, to include kidney cancer. The remaining conditions were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board granted ratings of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, 30 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) right upper extremity, and 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), while denying a rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder. The IVDS lumbar spine was granted a 40 percent rating, with separate ratings of 20 percent each for the left and right lower extremities.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and carpal tunnel syndrome based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for a low back disability and right hip disability to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The rating reduction for service-connected left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable was improper, and the appeal to restore the 20 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure compliance with its duty to assist, specifically regarding the adequacy of VA examinations and obtaining a retrospective medical opinion.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum, but remanded claims for increased ratings for migraines and lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's back, right elbow, left leg, and right leg conditions based on their onset during active service.