Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left wrist disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence of severe postoperative residuals or need for regular aid and assistance.

The appeal of the July 14, 2025 rating notification and the July 16, 2025 denial of service connection for a low back disability is dismissed due to an erroneous claims processing error.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a 30 percent evaluation, but no higher, for diarrhea from August 10, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and neurological disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and headache disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sinusitis, and vertigo as secondary to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, while remanding the other issues.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms amount to functional ankylosis.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition (degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain) and a left lower extremity nerve condition, as secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left foot, right foot, right index finger, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as fatigue claimed under the PACT Act, due to a need for in-person VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's disability is etiologically related to his active service. The other claims were remanded due to inadequate development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence of severe postoperative residuals or need for regular aid and assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and right hip condition, as there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition, variously diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 14, 2018, for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine but denied entitlement to TDIU.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment and required regular aid and attendance to perform activities of daily living, effective February 22, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.