Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities, bilateral knee scars, a headache condition, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for low back syndrome to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, a left knee condition, and a low back condition as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the appeal for an earlier effective date for award of service connection for lumbar spine disability, which was affirmed by a Court Order. The case is remanded to address a CUE claim in the June 1981 rating decision.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis and denied increased ratings for other conditions, while remanding claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder and left hand tremors.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis, but denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees and allergic rhinitis. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and psychiatric disorder were also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to appeal rating decisions from August 17, 2022 and March 7, 2022 due to untimeliness of the appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no medical nexus to his military service.

The Board granted service connection and increased ratings for multiple conditions, including thoracolumbar spine spondylosis with disc herniation, right ankle fracture residuals, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left ankle strain, left shoulder bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear with arthritis status post-surgery and chronic post-procedural pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent for the left knee disability and service connection for a back disability, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a skin condition.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and remanded the claim for service connection for a lower back condition.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination and to obtain Federal prison medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or onset of symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide the claim.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension and a lower back condition to obtain additional evidence, including medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back disorder, including lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right ankle sprain, and these claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or disease.