Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and multiple sclerosis. The increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and a back disability, but dismissed the appeal for PTSD as it was moot due to an earlier grant of service connection.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for sleep apnea and nummular dermatitis, eczema, but denied a higher disability rating for left foot metatarsalgia fracture, with Morton's neuroma, hammer toes, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, pes planus and degenerative arthritis, and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea.

The appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain s/p spine surgery has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine condition, including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, annular tear of L5/S1, lumbar neuritis/neuralgia, and herniated disc L5/S1. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded for further consideration.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder, but remanded the claims for a neck condition and lumbar back condition due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine its etiology, as the low threshold of the McLendon standard has been met.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the scar on the left upper arm and granted service connection for back, left knee, and tinnitus disorders.

The Board remands the matter for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran required convalescence from his lumbar laminectomy and decompression surgery.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including trochanteric pain syndrome and bursitis, degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and disc bulge, right thumb ulnar collateral ligament tear, and lumbar radiculopathy, all effective April 16, 2023.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted earlier effective dates for the grants of separate disability ratings for left and right lower radiculopathy, sciatic nerves. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and sleep disorder were remanded.

The Board remands the case to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal, specifically regarding an adequate VA examination or medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's back disorder prior to August 5, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right ankle condition as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disability and back disability to obtain additional medical opinions, as the previous VA examinations are found to be inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral tinnitus. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. Other claims were either granted or remanded.

The Board remands the service connection claims for a back disorder, right shoulder, and bilateral foot disorders as additional medical evidence is needed.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from February 20, 2013 to January 22, 2020, exclusive of a convalescence period. The other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, as secondary to the service-connected tuberculosis with lobectomy. The claims for a heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disability were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine condition and gastroesophageal reflux disease, while remanding the claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral hip, and pes planus/plantar fasciitis conditions.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right shoulder strain, and an increased disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.