Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for status post bunionectomy and hallux rigidus of the left great toe, and remanded several other claims related to various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's combat service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and OSA, but granted service connection for chronic right wrist sprain, GERD secondary to PTSD, right sciatic pain secondary to lumbosacral strain, and recurrent bilateral ear infections.

The Veteran's migraines are reasonably shown to have manifested by very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease, a low back condition to include intervertebral disc syndrome, and restless leg syndrome, all found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the matter for an appropriate VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected back condition, as the previous examinations were found inadequate.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals seeking to reopen service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral knee, and back disorders on the basis of new and relevant evidence.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2022, for the grant of service connection for acne, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, dry eye syndrome, GERD, and bilateral knee patella alta.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity femoral nerves, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with status post lumbar discectomy, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left ankle, and remanded service connection for limitation of motion of the right ankle.

The Board remands the service connection claim for a low back disorder to correct an error by the AOJ, specifically to ensure that the Veteran receives a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy but denied a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition and remanded service connection for knee condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's knee and hearing loss conditions, granted a 40% rating for lumbar strain from September 6, 2022 to November 28, 2022, and granted 20% ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy effective from September 6, 2022. The Board remanded service connection for scalp folliculitis.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mild primary arthritis in the facet joints and bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating increase for left ear hearing loss. The decision also remanded an issue related to right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied service connection for scars of the bilateral hands and arms, denied higher ratings for knee strain, dyspnea, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus, and remanded several other issues including service connection for headaches disability.

The Board granted service connection for GERD, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and denied increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel bone spurs, lumbar strain with IVDS, left knee limitation of flexion, and remanded claims for vertigo.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and retrolisthesis with radiculopathy (left upper extremity), finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's condition had its onset in service.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, service connection for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, but denied service connection for restless leg syndrome.

The Board remands the issue of a higher evaluation for the Veteran's back disability from September 6, 2019, to May 24, 2021, due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the severity of the condition and any ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the appeal seeking an increased rating for the back disability for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for an additional VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to consider the Veteran's contentions regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of his flare-ups.