Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a back condition and right knee condition to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining necessary VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, left lower sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower sciatic radiculopathy. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral shin splints, migraines, left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative disease of the cervical spine to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence of increased disability or new and material evidence to support earlier effective dates.

The Board granted an effective date of April 1, 2021, for service connection for multiple disabilities including chronic fatigue syndrome, lumbar spine issues, and knee and ankle injuries.

The Board remands the claims for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, right middle finger injury, vaginal disorder, hemorrhoids, and thoracolumbar strain.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS with GERD) but denied other claims.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right hip strain as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct duty-to-assist errors related to the Veteran's back condition, left leg pain, hypertension, tinnitus, knee strain, and sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities to obtain VA examinations and opinions.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including a 10 percent rating for nasal fracture residuals and bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dermatosis, lumbosacral disorder, left wrist disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and IBS. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS), and fibromyalgia. The initial disability ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and migraine headaches were also denied. Some claims related to other disabilities were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, headaches, and TBI to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, back, and tinnitus disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and an intestinal disability, including hemorrhoids, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for low back pain and emphysema, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the RO failed to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion that considered and discussed the Veteran's in-service back complaints and treatment.

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.