Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition, back condition, right leg vein condition, and right foot condition. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board granted increased ratings of 20 percent, the schedular maximum, for left ankle sprain and 40 percent for both left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for polysubstance abuse disorder secondary to a service-connected disability, and a TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for back disability to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion and outstanding treatment records.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis, while denying a compensable rating for right hallux valgus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder strain, left and right hip pain, left and right knee pain, low back pain, and headaches, to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the back disability and remanded the claim for a right lower extremity (RLE) sciatica disability rating.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims for increased ratings for the remaining conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, back, bilateral foot, and left shoulder disorders as further development is needed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and chronic bronchitis based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection of various conditions, including lumbar condition, headaches, sinusitis, TBI, gastroenteritis, heart disease, leg cramps, PFB, nausea, skin rash on arms, feet calluses, and tinea versicolor.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and remanded the claims for bilateral flat foot with achilles tendinitis, eczema, tinea pedis, right foot hallux valgus, and left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, but denied higher ratings. Other claims were either granted with non-compensable ratings or denied.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain, with degenerative disc and joint disease, lumbosacral spine to include levoscoliosis.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran's claim had been granted in full, making it moot.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for a back condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and headaches for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right elbow dislocation, right shoulder dislocation, and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy as untimely. The appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied due to clear and unmistakable evidence that it preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU to ensure proper consideration of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a request for examinations that consider functional impairment in an occupational setting and unemployability due to her disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder due to errors in scheduling VA examinations.