Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to deficiencies in the record.

The Board denied service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, left shoulder rotator cuff tear with surgical repair, lumbosacral strain, and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral strain, and chronic sinusitis but denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left knee condition and back condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, for further development.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar strain, effective from May 1, 2023, as the reduction was not proper.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability (secondary to right shoulder), obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to allergic rhinitis), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The right shoulder disorder was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, knee conditions, headaches, and others, as the evidence did not demonstrate that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service, ADT, or IDT.

The Board granted the appeal for restoration of the 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the reduction was improper.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee post traumatic arthritis with left femoral fracture, right distal tibial fracture, and cervical strain with DDD due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was capable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, as well as increased ratings for certain service-connected conditions.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disability was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including left thumb, left wrist, right hip, back, and sciatic nerve conditions, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, with some issues being remanded.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain from August 4, 2017, and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating.

The Board granted service connection for steatohepatitis and gastrointestinal impairment, to include chronic diarrhea and GERD. The claims for a chronic cough, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, facial scar, back disability, left hip disability, bilateral hand osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and remanded the claims for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, left upper extremity pain and paresthesia, right upper extremity pain and paresthesia, and TBI.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left ankle sprain with painful motion, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board remands the claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent for various musculoskeletal conditions to correct a pre-decisional error and ensure compliance with legal requirements.