Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including dizziness, degenerative changes and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bronchiolitis, GERD, migraine headaches, neurogenic bowel, and sleep apnea.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to December 28, 2010, and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent as of that date.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and right and left foot disabilities as the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle sprain and granted higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, with an effective date of May 28, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and various other conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, and he is granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with scoliosis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine disability with arthritis and lumbosacral spine disability with arthritis, but remanded the claims for left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied a combined rating higher than 90 percent for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from September 10, 2024, and granted separate ratings for left and right lower extremity neuralgia. The lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not support a finding of a chronic condition in service or continuous symptoms since service, nor was there a medical nexus to active service.

The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims for a back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, left hip bursitis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The claims for herpes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a higher rating for shin splints, lumbosacral strain, and cervical/uterine polyps were denied.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and low back pain, but denied service connection for hearing loss and a sleep disorder. The claims for pancreatitis and a penile condition were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, but denied increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and other conditions.

The appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and vertebral fracture was granted, but the appeal for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as moot.

The appeal for service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, right lower extremity nerve, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, is remanded due to the VA Regional Office's failure to comply with its duty to assist by making additional attempts to schedule the Veteran for examinations.