Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for ED with low sperm count and service connection for a low back disability, to include mild degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for sinusitis but remanded the issues related to lumbosacral strain and leg radiculopathy.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection claims, as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability or entitlement to benefits prior to August 26, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and denied an increased rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a claim for service connection for cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining SSA and CSRS/FERS disability records and scheduling a TERA examination.

The Board remands the service connection claims for bilateral ankle disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, acid reflux, headaches, and bilateral foot disability due to a need for private medical records and VA examinations.

The Board remands the case to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder, including whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and/or right ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, osteoarthritis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, a left hip condition, and a right eye injury to include double vision. The Board also granted ratings of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to December 13, 2021, and 20 percent from March 26, 2022, for left lower extremity radiculopathy (LLER).

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for connective tissue and disc stenosis of the lumbar region, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for low back pain and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, but denied increased ratings for obsessive compulsive disorder and left testicle atrophy with Peyronie's disease.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent, the schedular maximum, for his service-connected right ankle is granted. The claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for lumbar arthritis with strain is denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability and right shoulder disability to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the November 2023 rating decision on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including back, knee, ankle, psychiatric, and migraine conditions, as the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, s/p spinal lumbar decompression (back condition) based on new and relevant evidence that the Veteran's preexisting back condition was aggravated during active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left lower lumbar condition, right lower lumbar condition, and left hand fracture dislocation left proximal 5th phalanx at MCP joint s/p reduction with degenerative arthritis to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no nexus between the current complaints and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support higher ratings or a link between his claimed conditions and military service.